Credible Non-Scholarly Sources - WGS 201 - Intro to Women & Gender Studies - Research Guides at Eastern Kentucky University

Finding Articles in Women & Gender Studies

You are asked to find eight sources, with at least five from scholarly sources. The remaining three can come from credible non-scholarly sources. What does this mean in the context of Women & Gender Studies?

Credible non-scholarly articles are reliable resources written for a broader audience and may include government websites, educational institutions, advocacy organizations, and news outlets. They provide trustworthy information without the technical language of academic journals. Examples include gov sites like congress.gov, edu sites like university research centers, or media articles from reputable outlets covering gender and policy issues.

Recommended Non-Scholarly Sources

Government Sources (.gov)

Congress.gov
Official site for U.S. federal legislative information. Search bills by keyword, policy area, or bill number; view summaries, full text, sponsors, status updates, and committee actions.
Kentucky General Assembly: Legislation
The state’s lawmaking body, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Bills must pass both chambers to become law.
USA.gov’s Local Government Directory
Find official websites for city and county governments across the United States. Look up local offices, explore municipal codes, or connect with local officials in your community.

Educational Sources (.edu)

Barnard Center for Research on Women (Columbia University)
Offers publications, policy resources, and event recordings focused on feminist and queer studies.
Clayman Institute for Gender Research (Stanford University)
Publishes research briefs and reports on gender equity in work, family, and leadership.
Rutgers Center for Women and Work
Provides policy reports and data on employment, pay equity, and family leave.

Advocacy and Policy Organizations (.org)

Guttmacher Institute
Provides research and data on sexual and reproductive health; generally non-partisan but pro-evidence
Human Rights Campaign
Research and policy information on LGBTQ+ topics.
Kaiser Family Foundation
Reports on health policy, including reproductive and maternal health, with a neutral, research-based approach.
National Women’s Law Center
Reports on workplace, legal, and policy issues affecting women.
Pew Research Center
Offers neutral, data-driven reports on social trends, gender, and family.

Reputable News and Media Sources

The Atlantic - Gender & Sexuality Section
Featuring in-depth articles, essays, and personal narratives on gender, sexuality, identity, and social justice. Engaging and thoughtful, this section offers relevant perspectives that can enrich your advocacy letter.
New York Times - Gender & Society Spotlight
News and features on gender, sexuality, and identity, offering timely examples and perspectives for your research.
NPR
Covering health, politics, and society, often highlighting issues of gender, sexuality, and equity that can inform your advocacy work.

Evaluating Non-Scholarly Sources

When you find a source on the web, how do you know the source is credible? We recommend using a technique called lateral reading, where you investigate the source by reading other sources about the author or organization who created it. Check out the video below for more information on lateral reading.

FInding Resources on the Web - LibKey Nomad

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that can help streamline your research process and open up even more resources for you. If you are browsing a website that has journal article or ebook citations, LibKey Nomad will detect those you can access through EKU Libraries and provide a link to that article or ebook. You can get library subscribed articles directly from sites such as Wikipedia and Pubmed.

For more information about installing, read the EKU Libraries LibKey Nomad FAQ.