Exploring Sources: Vocabulary Definitions
Vocabulary Definitions
Now that you have almost completed this module here are the vocabulary terms and their definitions.
Activity
Check your definitions with the definitions listed here. They may be a little different and that is okay!
Vocabulary Summary
Abstract: brief summary of the contents of a source
Academic book: in-depth coverage of a topic usually including original research
Discussion/conclusion section: section of a research article that interprets the results and how the findings of the source can be extended in the field
Journal article: a formal article that describes original research, analysis or interpretation through the collection of data or theoretical framework that appears in a journal written by academics or scholars
Magazine: a source that comes out on a schedule (sometimes known as a periodical) such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly, containing a collection of articles, stories, pictures, or other features, written for a general audience
Methodology or methods section: section of a research report that describes how the study was conducted, including information about the subjects or participants and the procedures used
News sources: up-to-date regional, national, or international information written for a general audience
Peer review: when a scholarly article or book is evaluated by a scholar's peers for scientific credibility and relevance
Popular source: usually written by journalist or non-experts for a broad audience, typically meant to be purchased on an individual basis (in contrast to academic sources that are purchased by libraries)
Primary source: first-hand accounts of an event or time period by people who have experienced it such as newspapers, speeches, photographs etc.
Reference list: list of sources used throughout the work listed alphabetically by author last name at the end of the report under the heading References (for APA citation style), Works Cited (for MLA citation style), or Bibliography (for Chicago citation style)
Results section: section of an academic or scholarly article that presents a summary of the data and the statistical analysis that was done in the study
Scholarly or academic journals: a source that comes out on a schedule (sometimes known as a periodical) such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly containing mostly a collection of articles on very specific topics written by and for other experts and researchers
Scholarly or academic source: written by experts, for experts hoping to expand knowledge in their field of study
Secondary source: based on primary sources, generally written at a later date and provide some discussion, analysis, or interpretation of the original primary source
Source: a book, article, person, or other resource consulted for information
Trade publication: newspapers or magazines published specifically for professionals in a specialized field, discipline or industry
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