1. Researching an Issue
Lesson #4

2. Researching an Issue
Your research will likely lead you to both primary and secondary sources.
Primary Sources- include historical documents, literary works, eyewitness accounts, field reports, diaries, letters, and lab studies, as well as any original research you do through interviews, observation, experiments, or surveys.
Novels, poems
Secondary Sources- include scholarly books and articles, reviews, biographies, textbooks, and other works that interpret or discuss primary sources.
Articles interpreting novels, poems

3. Researching an Issue Print and online sources
Some sources are available only online or only in print
Many print sources are now available on the web
You will find print sources in your school’s library, but chances are that many of the books in your library’s reference section will also be available on the Web.

4. Researching an Issue https://scholar.google.com/
Media Center Website: >MediaCenter

5. Keeping Track of Your Sources
Staple together copies and printouts of print materials.
Store website URLs.
Label Everything
Highlight sections you plant to use.
Keep everything in a file.

6. Evaluating Sources
Considering the Reliability of Print and Online Sources
Books and journals that have been published in print have most likely been evaluated by editors, publishers, or expert reviewers before publication.
Magazines and newspapers have probably been fact- checked; not so most websites- anyone who wishes to post something on the Web can do so.
In addition, Web sources come and go and are easily changed.
So print sources (including journals available online) are always more stable and often more trustworthy.

7. Evaluating Sources Think about your purpose. Who is your audience?
Is it relevant?
What are the author’s credentials?
What is the STANCE?
Who is the publisher?
If it’s a website, who is the sponsor?
What is the level?
When was it published?
Is it available?
Does include other useful information?

8. Evaluating Sources Credibility Accuracy Reliability Relevance Date
Scope