Academic databases might contain articles from academic or scholarly journals. These scholarly journals are primarily for sharing research and analysis produced by scholars in a specific field of study with other scholars and researchers interested in the topic. The quality and accuracy of these journal articles is often assessed and reviewed by other expert scholars through the peer review process. Some article elements which might help you identify a source as a scholarly article include:

• Volume/Issue: Articles included in an academic journal will usually be published in a specific volume and issue number of that journal (for example, Volume 5, Issue 1).
• Abstract: A brief summary of the purpose, design, and results of the research.
• Introduction: Provides background information and explains how the research contributes to the field.
• Methods: Detailed information on how the research was conducted.
• Results: Summarizes the data collected during the research. Might contain charts and graphs.
• Discussion: Analyzes the data and its significance and may mention implications for future research.
• Conclusion: Recaps the research results and may mention implications for future research.
• References:  Properly formatted list of works cited in the article.

The journal title and article title listed below are examples of academic or scholarly sources which might be found in a database.

Elements of a Book Chapter might be:

• The author(s) of the entire book.
• Author(s) for the individual chapter if the book has different authors for each chapter and an editor(s) for the book overall.
• Publisher and place of publication.
• ISBN number (a 10 or 13 digit number assigned to that book).

Elements of a Thesis or Dissertation might be:

• The student as the named Author.
• The name of the university granting the degree.
• The specific degree awarded.
• The advisors who advised the thesis or dissertation. 

Magazine articles usually contain general interest and/or news information. Magazine articles are written by journalists, and they are intended for a general audience. The language used in magazine articles can often be easily read by most people, lacks the technical language or jargon of a particular industry, and may contain the author's opinions. You can use magazines to find popular or general interest information. Elements of a magazine article might be:

• Reports on current events, trends, or popular culture.
• Can be anonymous or have authors, though generally written by journalists in either case.
• Shorter in length, not longer than 1-10 pages (magazine articles tend to be longer than newspaper articles).
• Generally lack references or cited works.
• Can be found on the internet, but should not be treated as websites (there are articles that can only be found on a magazine's website, but they should still be treated as a magazine).
• The purpose may be to entertain or inform.

The titles below are examples of magazines.

• Time
• Newsweek

Newspaper articles contain up-to-date information about current events. Newspaper articles are written by journalists, and they are intended for a general audience. You can use newspapers to find information about both national and local current events. Elements of a newspaper article might be:

• Reports on current events, issues, or popular culture.
• May include images of an event or person, usually photographs.
• Shorter in length, not longer than 1-10 pages.
• Generally lacks references or list of cited works.
• Will often feature a byline, identifying the author and the author's affiliation or job title (for example, Marshall Lee, Science Reporter).
• Uses a headline, intended to capture the reader's attention or convey information, rather than a traditional title. 
• Can be found on the internet, but should not be treated as a website (there are articles that can only be found on a newspaper's website, but they should still be treated as a newspaper).

The titles below are examples of newspaper sources.

• The New York Times
• The Wall Street Journal

A blog is different than a regular webpage. It is often regularly updated by an author, usually on a particular topic. Sometimes, it can be more like a journal or informal series of posts. Elements of blogs include:

• A post structure
  • Posts often contain a date, an author, and a title
  • Newer posts are displayed at the top of the page
• Writing style may be more informal or personal
  • Can feel like the writer is talking at you

The titles below are examples of blogs:

• The Moz Blog
• EffortlessHR Blog