Although popular articles are not appropriate when you need a peer-reviewed article, they are a useful way to disseminate information and can be used for some of your assignments. Ask your instructor if you are unsure whether a source is appropriate for your assignment.
- Popular sources can be helpful places to get background information on your topic.
- Popular sources often discuss the result of original research in everyday language.
- Many "breaking" stories are first published as popular sources (because they do not have a rigorous peer review process).
