Types of Information Sources What types of information sources are available?

Types of Information Sources Primary Sources Secondary Sources

What are Primary Sources? Primary sources are original documents or original works. Primary sources are produced at the time of an event, without interpretation or commentary

Examples of Primary Sources Books/Monographs* Journal articles * Magazine articles * Newspaper articles * Internet resources * Reports * Letters Photographs Theses Poems Patents * Can be primary or secondary

What are Secondary Sources? Secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze primary sources. Secondary sources are further removed from the events described or mentioned in primary sources.

Examples of Secondary Sources Biographies Books/Monographs Electronic Databases Dictionaries Encyclopedias Histories Handbooks Review Articles Textbooks Any Index Any Bibliography Used to Locate Primary Sources

Primary vs. Secondary Primary SourceSecondary Source ArtOriginal ArtworkArticle critiquing the piece of art EngineeringPatentDerwent Patents Index HistoryOriginal U.S. Constitution Book about the Constitution ScienceOriginal journal article Biological Abstracts

Selection How do I select the right source?

Selection depends on your topic, the type of information you need, and what is available. If you need …You might try … Current informationNewspaper or WWW Scholarly articlesJournal Popular interest articlesMagazine Lots of organized information Book or encyclopedia To find article citationsIndex or database

Use a Book When looking for lots of information on a topic To put your topic in context with other important issues To find historical information To find summaries of research to support an argument

Use an Encyclopedia When looking for background information on a topic When trying to find key ideas, important dates or concepts

Two Types of Encyclopedias General Encyclopedias – provide concise overviews on a wide range of topics Subject-Specific Encyclopedias – contain in- depth information focusing on one field of study.

Characteristics of General and Subject- Specific Encyclopedias Encyclopedia articles give background information. Encyclopedia articles usually include bibliographies (works cited). Encyclopedia articles provide information to help you narrow your topic.

Use a Handbook For finding factual information to answer specific questions. Also, you can use a handbook to verify data or solve problems in a subject area.

Use a Journal When doing scholarly research To find out what has been studied on your topic To find bibliographies that point to other relevant research

Use a Magazine To find information or opinions about popular culture To find up-to-date information about current events To find general articles for people who are not necessarily specialists about the topic

Use a Newspaper To find current information about international, national and local events To find editorials, commentaries, expert or popular opinions

Use a Database or Index When you want to find articles on your topic in magazines, journals, or newspapers

Use the WWW To find current information AT YOUR OWN RISK!