Dawn Macfarlane

The differences between a scholarly article and a non-scholarly article have to do with the expertise and credentials of the author on the subject and whether the article is published in a peer-reviewed forum (Mailander, 2022).

For example, the journal article, “I feel like grad school is a pretty big decision”: exploring vocational anticipatory socialization through messages about pursuing graduate education” (Apker et al., 2025), is a scholarly article because it is written by academic experts on the subject and published in a peer-reviewed, academic journal within the GCU library. My research found that one of the authors of this writing, Julie Apker, is a professor of communications at the University of Michigan (WMU 2025), which qualifies her as an academic expert. The article was published in Communication Quarterly, which is a peer-reviewed, scholarly, academic journal.

Conversely, the article, “Mom changes the locks after adult son trashes her home and abandons her cats” (Vega A, 2025), is not a scholarly article because it is published in an online magazine, which is an entertainment publication and not peer-reviewed or written by an expert on the subject. Furthermore, there are no methods, discussions, academic citations, or references given to support her writing.

References

Apker, J., Abendschein, B., & Kaplan, H. A. (2025). “I feel like grad school is a pretty big decision”: exploring vocational anticipatory socialization through messages about pursuing graduate education. Communication Quarterly, 73(2), 216–238. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/01463373.2025.2455591

Mailander, N. (2022). Academic research. In A. DiVincenzo (Ed.). Mastering graduate studies (2nd ed., p 74). Grand Canyon University.

Vega, A., (2025, December 29). Mom changes locks after adult son trashes her home and abandons her cats. People Magazine https://people.com/mother-changes-locks-after-adult-son-leaves-her-house-in-disarray-11876457

Western Michigan University 2025. https://wmich.edu/communication/directory/apker

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Identify the Purpose of the Assignment

Begin by understanding that the goal is to differentiate between scholarly and non-scholarly sources. Your task is not just to define each type but to demonstrate that you can critically evaluate sources based on credibility, authorship, and publication standards.

Step 2: Define What Makes an Article Scholarly

Clearly explain that scholarly articles typically:

Are written by subject-matter experts
Are published in peer-reviewed academic journals
Include an abstract, methodology, results, discussion, and references
Rely on evidence-based research and citations

This definition sets the foundation for your comparison.

Step 3: Provide a Scholarly Article Example

Introduce a scholarly source and explain why it qualifies.
Be sure to:

Identify the author’s academic credentials
Name the peer-reviewed journal
Mention the article’s research-based structure

This demonstrates your ability to verify credibility beyond surface-level information.

Step 4: Analyze a Non-Scholarly Source

Next, introduce a non-scholarly article and explain its limitations.
Focus on:

Lack of peer review
Absence of academic citations or methodology
Publication in a popular or entertainment-based outlet

Avoid criticizing the content itself; instead, emphasize why it is unsuitable for academic research.

Step 5: Compare the Two Sources Clearly

Use direct comparison to strengthen your discussion:

Scholarly vs. non-scholarly purpose
Academic rigor vs. entertainment or general information
Evidence-based writing vs. anecdotal reporting

Clear contrast shows strong critical thinking skills.

Step 6: Use Proper APA Formatting

Ensure all citations and references:

Follow current APA guidelines
Include correct formatting for journal articles, books, and websites
Are consistent throughout the post

This is essential for meeting academic expectations.

Step 7: Maintain a Professional Academic Tone

Write in a clear, objective, and scholarly manner.
Avoid informal language and ensure correct grammar and sentence structure to enhance credibility.

🔗 Helpful Academic Research Resources

You may use the following links to support similar assignments:

Grand Canyon University Library – Scholarly Sources Guide:
https://libguides.gcu.edu/scholarly
Purdue OWL – Identifying Scholarly Articles:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/working_with_sources/evaluating_sources_of_information.html
University of Michigan Library – Scholarly vs. Popular Sources:
https://guides.lib.umich.edu/research
National University Library – Peer-Reviewed Articles Explained:
https://www.nu.edu/resources/peer-reviewed-journals/

Understanding the Difference Between Scholarly and Non-Scholarly Sources