HIERARCHY OF SOURCES

Overview There are basically four levels of

sources one can find in the research progress.

While they don’t necessarily correlate directly with the 4 levels of analysis (Scientific, Rhetorical, etc.), there is an approximate correlation.

Scholarly concerned with academic studyexhibiting the methods / attitudes of a scholar

Substantive News/General Interest solid base; substantive.

Popular Reflecting taste and intelligence of people at

large. Sensational

intending to arouse strong curiosity, interest or reaction.

SCHOLARLY generally have a sober, serious look.

graphs and charts but few glossy pages or pictures. always cite their sources in the form of footnotes

or bibliographies. written by a scholar or researcher in the field. assumes some scholarly background on the part

of the reader. The main purpose is to report on original

research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the scholarly world.

EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARLY JOURNALS

American Economic Review

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Journal of Marriage and the Family

Modern Fiction Studies

SUBSTANTIVE NEWS / GENERAL INTEREST attractive in appearance.

often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs. sometimes cite sources. written by a member of the editorial staff, a

scholar or a free lance writer. geared to any educated audience.

no specialty assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.

generally commercially published. The main purpose is to provide information to a

broad audience of interested citizens.

EXAMPLES Christian Science

Monitor Economist National

Geographic New York Times Scientific

American Vital Speeches of

the Day

POPULAR come in many formats, often slick and attractive in

appearance. Lots of graphics (photographs, drawings, etc.).

rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second or

third hand. Articles are usually short, written in simple language

and are designed to meet a minimal education level. main purpose is to entertain the reader, to sell

products (their own or their advertisers), and/or to promote a viewpoint.

EXAMPLES OF POPULAR PERIODICALS Ebony Parents People Weekly Readers Digest Sports Illustrated Time Vogue

SENSATIONAL The most varied category who’s only

common trait is unapologetic unreliability. language is elementary, frequently

inflammatory or sensational. assume a certain gullibility in their audience.

main purpose is to arouse curiosity, distract, incite schadenfreude and to cater to popular superstitions. often do so with flashy headlines designed to

astonish.

EXAMPLES OF SENSATIONAL PERIODICALS Globe National

Examiner Star OK Weekly World

News TMZ