SOURCE CONTENT

When choosing the most appropriate sources for your research paper it is helpful to be familiar with the typical resources available and what kinds of information they contain.

magazines
A magazine offers articles about subjects of interest to the general public. Magazines can cover a vast range of topics from popular culture to scientific and medical issues. They also usually feature many pictures and few if any, sources consulted or bibliographies. Magazine articles are available in print and through online databases.

When should you use magazines?
+ To find information or opinions about people in the news.
+ To find information or opinions about current events.
+ To find articles on a wide variety of topics written for the general public.

Examples:
U.S. News and World Report
People
Newsweek

journals
A journal or scholarly publication offers articles written by researchers and other knowledgeable people in a specific field or profession. These articles are written mainly for other professionals and are often published by professional organizations or associations. Journal articles will usually contain footnotes or bibliographies and few if any pictures, although they may contain charts and graphs to illustrate statistical information. Journal articles are available in print and through online databases.

When should you use journals?
+ To find scholarly research and opinion.
+ To find out what professionals are writing and publishing about your topic.
+ To find bibliographies that point to other sources for information.

Examples:
Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of Southern History
American Literature

newspapers
A newspaper offers articles of interest to the general public, usually focusing on information relevant to a specific local area. Because newspapers are usually published on a daily basis, the information found in newspapers is generally the most current information available at the time of publication. Many newspapers today offer a Web version of their current edition; often however, not all articles available in the print version will be included in the Web edition. Newspaper articles are also available through online databases.

When should you use a newspaper?
+ To find the most current information.
+ To find information of local interest.
+ To find editorials, commentaries, expert or popular opinion.

Examples:
Florida Times-Union
Washington Post
New York Times
Wall Street Journal

books
Books offer information on virtually every subject. Books often are the best source for the historical context of a subject. They are also an excellent choice for collections of diverse viewpoints or an in-depth analysis of a topic. On some occasions, you may have to find a book on a broad topic and then use its index to find information on your specific topic. (for example, a book on the rain forest may contain information on the types of medicinal plants found there.) While most books are only available in print, some are also available as "eBooks".

When should you use a book?
+ To find lengthy explorations of your topic.
+ To put your topic in historical context.
+ To find collections of viewpoints on your topic.

the world wide web
The Web offers information from an almost endless variety of sources. These "pages" or Web sites are connected through a series of hypertext links that allow information to be connected for quick retrieval. A Web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator is used to access this material though the system of interconnected servers called the Internet.

Web pages can be posted on the Internet by anyone with computer access, so always evaluate the authority of a Web site before using it as a source (specific considerations will be discussed late in this lesson). The Web also provides access to online databases and library catalogs.

When should you use the Web?
+ To find current news.
+ To find company or product information.
+ To search for information from government agencies.
+ To connect to your library database or other online databases.

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