📋 Objective: Ask what makes the source work for your research. Consider what the material can tell you about your topic, and how the information found in it can be used to support your argument.
Sources are the research materials where information is found.
When determining the type of source, it is necessary to consider the creator's purpose and perspective in addition to the timing between a work's creation and the event.
Primary sources provide original accounts of the subject directly from the author/ creator.
Secondary sources interpret, evaluate, and draw conclusions about the events described or reported in primary sources.
Tertiary sources combine primary and secondary sources to provide an overview. This can be a simple summary or a more in-depth analysis of current research and knowledge.
Popular sources are general in their coverage, often from mass-media outlets, whose purpose is to provide entertainment. These types of sources are not always acceptable in academic research because the material is usually opinion instead of fact based. Standards are usually lower for verifying its claims, with looser rules about citation or none at all. They tend to be written informally for a lower-level audience.
Magazine are interest-oriented periodicals written for a general audience. Their entertainment value comes from the content as well as the accompanying graphics. Articles lengths tend to be brief, and so does each edition. Publication schedules are usually weekly, monthly, or semi-annually.
Trade publications are career-related serials created by and for professionals. Their purpose is to share relevant news and experiences in the field. They are published by mass-media outlets and professional associations. Due to the subject, some of the language may be technical, but articles are generally written for a wide audience.
Scholarly sources are mostly peer-reviewed serials whose purpose is to inform fellow researchers. These books and journals are often published or sponsored by professional associations and academic institutions. As academic writing, it is formal, technical, and specialized to its discipline.
Most scholarly articles are found in scholarly journals. They often focus on publishing new studies and have strict guidelines for submitting and publishing articles. Not every article in a scholarly journal is a research study, so always check the table of contents to be sure.
Many scholars first formally present their research at conferences. These are meetings of experts in a field, usually academic but sometimes government forums. The proceedings may provide the full article or just the abstract of the study. They are an ideal source for the newest research in a field, but do not always contain peer-reviewed materials.
News sources provide information to the public about events. Coverage is usually geographical in nature; focused on a local, national, or international audience. Most have daily or weekly publication schedules. Ethical journalism standards aim for objectivity in reporting, but newspapers are commercial ventures that sell advertisements and appeal to specific audiences. To learn more about using newspapers in your research, visit our Newspapers LibGuide.
Editorials are short-form articles submitted by guest contributors to discuss their perspective on a topic. Experts are sometimes solicited or featured, but not formally peer-reviewed. Some newspapers have opinion sections, where contributors are staff writers or guests. These articles are usually accompanied by a disclaimer, which states that the views expressed are solely that of the guest contributor and not that of the newspaper.
Wire services aggregate news articles from a variety of sources focused on a particular topic or region. The purpose of these sites is often to present a collection of available articles, but the owners may selectively omit or promote some sources. Some have disclaimers that they are not responsible for the content of the links. Unlike traditional newspapers, they may not have an editorial board or fact-checking team. Newswires can provide continually updated information, but it is important to stay critical of the reporting.
Extract information from this source. Start by looking for indicators that describe the content and indicate its importance, like the headings. Skim the introduction to get an overview of the structure and main points. Survey dense areas of data; like charts, graphs, lists, and tables. Read the results and discussion sections thoroughly. Check this information against the methods section and a research manual or other relevant authority to assess the information for correctness.
Treat the entire source as a piece of information. Make detailed observations about the content. Look for indicators of information that you understand. Compare your findings to similar sources. Use that knowledge to guide your analysis and interpretation. Prepare questions and use the source to answer them. Check the information against other verified sources.
Once you've compiled enough good evidence, decide how you will incorporate the research material into your project. Good sources support your argument. Appropriate citation strengthens your writing. Check out our Citing LibGuide for more.
