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First Steps...
First, think about what type of information you need. Do you need information for a class assignment? Is it for personal use? How much do you know about this topic already? Your information need will determine the type of information that will be most useful to you; some highly reputable sources actually might not bet the best resource for you in the moment.
The best way to start your research process might be with a simple Google search!
Information Need | Source Type |
Background Information / Overview |
Dictionaries / Encyclopedias (print or digital) Websites Wikipedia Books (print or ebooks) |
Current Events |
News sites, newspapers (print or digital) Radio Television |
Data / Statistics |
Government Websites Non-Profit Organization Websites (e.g. PEW Research Center) Library Databases: Statista |
Opinion |
Social Media Blogs Magazines Newspapers |
Research / Analysis |
Scholarly Articles (print or online databases) Scholarly Books (print or ebooks) |
Source Types
Books can be excellent sources for both broad and in-depth knowledge of a subject. They may provide a general overview or history of a subject, critical analysis from a particular angle, multiple perspectives on an issue, and more. In addition, the bibliography of a book can point researchers to other important works on a subject.
Search in: The library catalog (for both physical and electronic books)
Uses:
Examples:
A scholarly journal (also known as an academic journal or a peer-reviewed journal) is a type of serial publication which publishes articles of a scholarly nature. The content of such journals is:
Prior to publication, all articles published in a peer-reviewed journal undergo a peer-review process in which the editor(s) of the journal will send articles that are being considered for publication to other scholars in the same field (i.e. to the author’s peers). These scholars will then assess the article’s relevance, quality of scholarship, appropriateness for the journal, etc.
Search In: Online databases
Uses:
Examples: