Scholarly Information Comes From A Wide Variety Of Sources

Scholarly Information Comes From A Wide Variety Of Sources Including A

Scholarly information comes from a wide variety of sources including academic books, encyclopedias, handbooks, and journals. “Scholarly” is a broad term for publications written by and for researchers and scholars. These publications are typically not found in your local bookstore or public library because they are written for a very specific audience. They are mostly available in university and specialized libraries, not freely available online. Therefore, it is essential to learn to navigate the Walden Library and use it often!

During your time at Walden, you will be focusing on peer-reviewed journal articles, a specific type of scholarly publication that goes through a specialized review process. These types of articles may report on original research or review the work of other researchers. As you use the Walden Library to search the peer-reviewed literature to support your Discussion posts and Assignments, it is important to understand how the Library is organized. Most modern libraries make their materials available electronically through searchable databases. Here in the Walden Library, you have access to specialized academic databases, many of which are specific to psychology and the social and behavioral sciences. Of course, there are also online search engines, such as Google Scholar, which can help identify scholarly resources.

However, Google Scholar’s search results may or may not be peer-reviewed, and oftentimes the full text is not available. Since you need to use the Walden Library to verify if an article you found is peer-reviewed, and to obtain the full text, you will save time by using the Library as your primary search tool. Library databases also offer other search features that are not available from free online search engines. As part of this week’s Discussion, you will explore the databases in the Walden Library and compare and contrast peer-reviewed articles found in these databases to those found online.

Paper For Above instruction

In conducting scholarly research, understanding the variety of sources and the processes involved in verifying the credibility and academic rigor of articles is essential, particularly in specialized fields such as forensic psychology. Scholarly sources include academic books, encyclopedias, handbooks, and peer-reviewed journal articles, which are distinguished by their rigorous review process and specialized audience. Recognizing the characteristics of peer-reviewed articles, and differentiating them from other scholarly or online sources, is vital for building credible, evidence-based arguments in professional and academic contexts.

This paper explores the importance of utilizing peer-reviewed articles, especially in forensic psychology, by comparing articles sourced through academic databases versus those found via open internet search engines such as Google Scholar. It underscores the value of academic libraries like Walden’s, which facilitate access to credible peer-reviewed sources while emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of each source’s scholarly nature.

Peer-reviewed articles are distinguished by the systematic review process involving experts in the field who assess the validity, significance, and originality of the research before publication. These articles often report original experiments, case studies, or comprehensive literature reviews in forensic psychology topics such as victimology, vicarious traumatization, PTSD, or stalking. By contrast, articles found through general internet searches may lack such rigorous review and can vary widely in credibility. As a researcher or practitioner, using peer-reviewed articles enhances the strength of your arguments because they are based on validated evidence and are more credible in scholarly discourse.

Accessing peer-reviewed literature through university libraries entails understanding the organization of databases like PsycINFO or PubMed, which allow filtering results by peer review status, full text availability, and recent publication date. Using these tools ensures that the sources you cite or base your work on meet academic standards. Conversely, sources obtained from open internet searches like Google Scholar may sometimes be peer-reviewed but often require additional verification for credibility. This verification process involves examining the journal’s reputation, the authors’ credentials, and the review process, which can often be done through library tools or institutional access.

Furthermore, critical evaluation of articles involves assessing their methodology, relevance, and scholarly rigor. Tools like the Peer-Reviewed Article Checklist assist in this process, enabling researchers to distinguish credible sources from non-scholarly material. Forensic psychology professionals rely heavily on peer-reviewed sources when building arguments about criminal behavior, victimology, or psychological treatment, as these sources uphold high standards of scientific validity.

In conclusion, employing peer-reviewed articles enhances scholarly writing by grounding arguments in validated, credible evidence. It promotes academic integrity and ensures the advancement of knowledge within forensic psychology. Researchers and professionals should prioritize accessing and citing peer-reviewed sources from reputable academic databases, thereby maintaining the rigor and credibility necessary for effective practice, research, and policy development in this specialized field.

References

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