Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

What type of source contains rigorous analysis and original research?

1. Popular magazines

2. Textbooks

3. Scholarly articles

4. News articles

The correct answer is: Scholarly articles

The selection of scholarly articles as the correct answer is based on the defining characteristics of these types of sources. Scholarly articles are typically written by experts in a particular field and undergo a rigorous peer-review process before publication. This ensures that the information presented is scrutinized for accuracy, methodology, and relevance, leading to a high standard of quality. These articles often include original research, which means they report on new findings, experiments, or theoretical analyses that contribute to the body of knowledge in a specific discipline. This original work is accompanied by detailed methodologies, data analyses, and substantial references that support the research claims. In contrast, other sources such as popular magazines and news articles tend to prioritize accessibility and engagement over the level of analytical rigor found in scholarly work. Popular magazines may contain generalized information meant for a broad audience without extensive research or citations, while news articles typically focus on reporting events and may not delve deeply into analysis or original findings. Textbooks offer comprehensive overviews of subjects but often synthesize existing information rather than present new research. Thus, scholarly articles are the most appropriate choice for those seeking rigorous analysis and original research.