When you have a research assignment, figure out what types of sources are required by your instructor. Some professors require you to use only scholarly peer-reviewed journals, scholarly books, primary sources, or newspapers; while others might be more flexible in the types of sources used. Here are some terms you should be familiar with:
Scholarly/ peer-reviewed/ refereed/ academic articles: These articles are written by scholars or experts in the field and reviewed by peers who are experts in the same area. In many databases, you can limit your search to scholarly, peer-reviewed or refereed journals.
Professional/trade article: Written by an expert, a professional in the field, or by staff writers and reviewed by an editor for style and content. The articles often do not contain reference lists. Examples include School Library Journal, Harvard Business Review, Engineering and Mining Journal, and American Biology Teacher. These are often found in our library databases.
Popular journals: Written for a general audience rather than for professionals or scholars. Examples include The New Yorker, People, and Rolling Stone. These are often found in our library databases.
Primary source: An item that was created during the period studied that documents in some way what is being studied. Examples include newspaper accounts, government documents, letters, diaries, autobiographies, speeches, oral histories, museum artifacts, and photographs. Primary sources can be found in many different places, including in books (when a photograph or speech is reprinted, for example), on the web from libraries, museums, or other organizations that have digitized primary source content, and in some of our library databases. The Primary Sources research guide provides links to online sites, databases, and much more.
Secondary source: A source that is one step removed from an event and analyzes primary sources. Examples include a book about World War II that is based on records from the time, or a journal article about Chinese immigrants. Most books and articles are secondary sources. You can find books by using the search box on the library's home page. You can find articles by using this same search box or by searching the library's databases.
What types of evidence will you need to answer your research question or make your case?
This chart makes suggestions for specific types of resources for your research:
If you need:
Find:
Expert evidence
Scholarly articles, books, and statistical data
Public or individual opinion on an issue
Newspapers, magazines, and websites
Basic facts about an event
Newspapers and books
Eye-witness accounts
Newspapers, primary source books, and web-based collections of primary sources
General overview of a topic
Books or encyclopedias
Information about a current topic
Websites, newspapers, and magazines
Local information
Newspapers, websites, and books
Information from professionals working in the field
Sources of information or evidence are often categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary material. These classifications are based on the originality of the material and the proximity of the source or origin.
Sources of information or evidence are often categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary material. These classifications are based on the originality of the material and the proximity of the source or origin.
In academic writing, the sources you cite should be credible and scholarly. Some of the main types of sources used are: Academic journals: These are the most up-to-date sources in academia. They are published more frequently than books and provide cutting-edge research.
The purpose of a scholarly journal is to report original and significant research in a particular discipline. These journals are primary source of information and also called primary periodicals. These periodicals are the best source of information on new or current topics.
A bibliography is a listing of all the sources you consulted in writing your research paper. You must closely follow the specific rules for writing bibliographies that are provided in style manuals, the most common ones being APA, MLA, and Chicago.
a recent research report published by a professor is likely to be the most credible source among the options provided. The most credible source, in this case, would be a recent research report published by a professor.
Any credible sources on your topic can be included in an annotated bibliography. The exact sources you cover will vary depending on the assignment, but you should usually focus on collecting journal articles and scholarly books.
It's important to cite sources you used in your research for several reasons: To show your reader you've done proper research by listing sources you used to get your information. To be a responsible scholar by giving credit to other researchers and acknowledging their ideas.
Academic journals: These are the most up-to-date sources in academia. They are published more frequently than books and provide cutting-edge research. Books: These are great sources to use, as they are typically written by experts and provide an extensive overview and analysis of a specific topic.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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