Comparison Chart
  Popular Magazines Scholarly Journals
           

 

Usually staff or freelance writers Specialists or experts in their field

 

 

May not be identified Always named 

 

 

Credentials usually not given Credentials and professional affiliations are usually given

 

 

Not directly involved in the ideas, events, and work they are reporting Reporting on findings or observations from their original research

 

Written for a large general audience Written for professionals in their field

 

 

Language is non-technical Language and tone are serious, scholarly, and often technical

 

 

Provides an overview of the subject or information of research previously published in laymen's terms Earliest reports of research findings

 

 

Usually does not include a bibliography identifying sources Bibliography almost always included.

 

 

Glossy illustrations used to complemet the article Illustrations are few but charts and graphs may be used to doucment supporting data

 

 

Many advertisements for popular products Advertisements are absent or only for products/services of interest to the profession

 

 

Cover is designed to be eye-catching Cover designed to be informative

 

Content is evaluated by editors  Content is evaluated by other experts in the field, referred to as "peer-reviewed"

 

 

Fact-checking is careful, but not extensive Standards of content and documentation are stringent

 

 

Printed for the entertainment value Printed to inform industry professionals of latest research findings 
C.R.A.A.P. Test

Is the website you're using CRAAP?

Current

When was the information created or last update?

What is a good age for information on your topic?

Are you looking for historical information or current information? 

 

Relevant

Does the informaiton relate to your topic?

Does it address your quesiton(s)?

 

Authoritative

Who wrote it?

What are their credintials?

Why should you believe what they say?

 

Accurate

Are there other sources listed?

What facts are used to support the information?

 

Purposeful

Why was this information created?

Who was this information written for?

Video - Evaluating Websites