Computer Science & Information Technology: Popular and Scholarly Literature

Popular writing can be credible, but it may not be appropriate for your paper. Popular articles are written for a general audience, while scholarly or peer-reviewed articles are written for an expert audience. The process of peer review includes rigorous critique of an article's methods, analysis, and conclusions by other experts in the field who offer anonymous feedback. This feedback provides the means to vet an article by multiple other scholars before it is published. 

Popular articles: 

• Have been edited for clarity or style, but the science has not been rigorously vetted. 
• Should avoid or explain jargon or technical language.
• May be written in a more artfully descriptive style, using analogies or metaphors to explain complex topics.
• May describe the human interest story behind the research.
• Do not often include citations in the text or at the end of the article. 
• May include persuasive writing, or otherwise promote an agenda other than relaying information.

The following article, from Popular Mechanics magazine, is an example of a popular article.

Tweit S. 2006. Can't we just blow it up? The world's biggest dam removal will return Washington's Elwha River to its free-flowing state. But the colossal three-year project proves there's a lot more to deconstruction than tons of TNT. Popular mechanics (New York 1959). 183(2):64.
 

Scholarly articles: 

• Have been reviewed to examine the validity of the research methods and the credibility of the results. 
• Assume an expert audience and choose precise language.
• Use graphs, charts, or tables to explain results when appropriate. 
• Will always include citations in the text and at the end of the article. 
• Should report on shortcomings or limitations of the research. 
• Try to avoid bias and/or report any conflicts of interest.

The following article, from the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, is an example of a scholarly resource. 

Tickner, David, Parker, Helen, Moncrieff, Catherine R, Oates, Naomi E. M, Ludi, Eva, Acreman, Mike. 2017. Managing Rivers for Multiple Benefits–A Coherent Approach to Research, Policy and Planning. Frontiers in environmental science. 5. doi:10.3389/fenvs.2017.00004.