Joseph R. Skeen Library : CSE/IT/PHIL 382 (ChoGlueck): Popular Sources

Use popular sources when you need:

A general overview of a topic;
Very current information;
Opinion pieces;
Ideas on where to look for scholarly sources

Popular resources do not typically go through the same review process as academic resources; in many cases popular resources are reviewed by a single editor, who may or may not have expertise in the subject area. Popular resources are usually written for a broad audience and do not always use the same, formal language as authors of academic articles.

Examples of popular resources include magazine and newspaper articles, websites, and wikis. Use popular resources to identify the latest trends and issues within your topic, but do not rely heavily on these types of resources.

Characteristics of popular source articles:

Uses short sentences and simple language
Author reports information from interviews or second hand sources
Sometimes the author is not listed or qualifications are not indicated
Bibliography or references usually not included
Usually illustrated with colorful photographs

Courtesy of Northcentral University.

These are good places to start when looking for popular sources

Aeon.co
Since 2012, Aeon has established itself as a unique digital magazine, publishing some of the most profound and provocative thinking on the web. We ask the big questions and find the freshest, most original answers, provided by leading thinkers on science, philosophy, society and the arts.
Fast Company
Fast Company is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes eight print issues per year.
Scientific American
The longest continuously published magazine in the U.S., Scientific American has been bringing its readers unique insights about developments in science and technology for more than 170 years.
WIRED
The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business, science to design. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries.