3rd Step, Part 1: Finding Sources - Information Types

The information you consult for a college paper should have these elements :

It is somewhat focused or specific
It is up-to-date
It is appropriate to the scope (limits) of your investigation
It is based on a variety of perspectives
It can provide an overview of how the topic has changed over time

Notice a difference: Library database sources vs Internet sources.

It helps in research to know the differences between usual Internet sources and the types the library offers in its online databases, which are usually more credible because they are from regular published sources and are paid for. For instance, there is more scholarly content in library databases than is found with the usual open Web, which we use so often on a daily basis.

Should I be using Google, or any other Web search engine, or the Library resources for a paper?

You are welcome to use both, but the best, most reliable sources, are usually from special databases which are not free and which access published online sources. The Library subscribes to many of these types of databases. You will learn more later.

Information "out there" can come from anywhere -- television, blogs, personal experiences, books, journal and magazine articles, expert opinions, encyclopedias, and very many Web pages. The type of information you need depends on the question you are trying to answer and any assignment requirements.

Library and non-library information sources are not organized in the same ways. SLCC Libraries’ content is purchased and licensed solely for use by registered students and others at SLCC.

However, doing research within the SLCC Libraries website offers many distinct advantages to a SLCC researcher because, unlike the Internet :

the information is well-organized, making the research process more efficient
the search methods offer advanced options, tools, and filters
the content is better and it is customized, evaluated, and selected for the right level
the use of databases prepares students for more advanced level scholarly research

INFORMATION SOURCES AND TYPES

Look at the following sources of information. Notice the similarities and differences between them. Consider the information characteristics that are listed above and keep them in mind when looking at the information sources below. Bulleted items are on the use of the described resources.

Databases: are often the best source for articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers. They may also provide access to videos, and other types. Some databases contain just citations and abstracts (brief summaries) of the articles, etc., while other databases contain complete full-text (complete) articles. Some databases are multidisciplinary (covering many areas), like Academic Search Premier, and others cover a single area of study, like Education Full Text. Items in databases are mostly paid-for, go through the publishing process, and have usually been evaluated by experts (especially the articles that are peer-reviewed), which generally make them a source of credible information. (You should still evaluate all information critically.) SLCC Library Databases are paid for by subscriptions. There are about 90 available at SLCC, but the University of Utah's Marriott Library has access to many more, maybe four times that number (ask a librarian to know about possible access to them as a visitor). Students, faculty, and staff can access the SLCC Library databases from home if they log in with their MySLCC credentials.

Use Library Databases :

To help you find information in magazines, academic journals, newspapers, e-books, business files, statistical charts, films, etc.
To find a variety of streamed videos, etc. . See the attached descriptions on the Library site with the database lists.

Home access of Library online databases : Login with your MySLCC credentials (same as logging into Canvas for a class page).

If you need help with home access or logging in, call IT help at 801-957-5555 during open hours or e-mail helpdesk@slcc.edu

Academic Journals (scholarly journals): have articles mostly written by scholars in an academic field. An editorial board reviews articles to decide whether they should be accepted, which is known as peer review. The journals can cover very specific topics or very narrow research fields. They are often written for serious scholars in specific fields and can be expensive to get. Some, however, are open-access (free) on the Web.

Use Journal articles :

To find information for scholarly research
To find out what has been studied on your topic
To find bibliographies or lists of sources in endnotes which point to other relevant research
To find recent academic research on a topic

What’s “peer review”?

Some academic journals have articles that have been peer-reviewed, meaning experts or cholars in the same field have reviewed the article before publication. It’s more of a critical overview than a regular editorial review, so it is a mark of quality and credibility.

Magazines (popular press): have articles and images about diverse topics of interest and current events, or they may be for a specific trade. Usually the articles are written by journalists, not an expert, for the average adult. Popular or Trade Magazines may cover “serious” material, but to find consistent scholarly information, you should mostly use journals.

Use Magazine articles:

To find information or opinions about popular culture or a trade
To find up-to-date information about current events, almost as current as newspapers or news Websites
To find general articles for an audience who are not experts or specialists on the topic

Newspapers: have articles about current events or popular topics usually published daily. Since there is at least one in every fair-sized city, it is a great source of local information. ProQuest’s US Newstream is our best database for newspapers, but it is not included in the OneSearch (more later), and must be searched by itself.

Use Newspapers:

To find current information about international, national, and local events
To find editorials, commentaries, and expert or popular opinions
To find popular cultural items

Books: are print sources (or else online e-books) that cover virtually any topic, fact or fiction. For research purposes, you will probably look for Nonfiction (factual) books that put together information on a topic to support a particular argument or thesis. E-books are especially available when using OneSearch (more on this coming up). SLCC also has Fiction (imaginative or creative), and books in other areas, such as for younger readers. Books often may vary widely in quality, but SLCC librarians usually try to purchase only quality and useful books for Community College readers and researchers. Some outdated or not-as-useful books have been removed from the collection, over the years.

Use Books (or E-Books):

To find a large amount of detailed information on a topic written over a period of time
To find information that puts your topic in context with other important issues
To find summaries of research to support an argument

Library Catalog: is an organized, searchable collection of records of physical items in a library, mostly print books, and records of some online items, such as some e-books and some videos, with links to them (The OneSearch will get more results, and the next Tutorial Module will cover it, coming up). The Catalog is linked from the Library home page. Try out the Library Catalog's Power Search or Advanced Search to also limit by location or by source type, etc. SLCC’s Library Catalog is here.

Use the SLCC Library Catalog:

To find information on a topic, mostly in print books, but also in media items, equipment, etc. and to get their location to find them.
To link to some online resources which has holdings in the Catalog (but not for the most online research, which requires databases).

VERY BRIEF SCREENCAST VIDEO ABOUT USING THE LIBRARY CATALOG

Encyclopedias: are collections of factual entries, often written by different contributors, who are experts on a topic. There are two main types: general and subject-specific encyclopedias.

Use Encyclopedias:

To find basic background information on a topic See Background Research on a previous page.
To find key ideas, important dates, important people, and term definitions in the field

Videos and Media: are documentary movies or audiovisual records. (SLCC Library has both physical DVDs and online videos from databases.)

Use Videos :

To add variety by using items with more popular sensory appeal and for more of the experience-it-yourself value than other items

Websites: are pages which can be linked to other sites. The Web has features such as sound, images, and video. They have been created and placed on a computer server to broadcast using the Internet.

Search Engines, such as Google, do not try to get you the best academic results, just the most popular ones. Websites in general need some careful evaluation before selecting them as a source.

See the Page in this Tutorial below on Evaluating Sources.

Use Websites :

To find useful sources after carefully evaluating them for facts, and the author(s), company or sponsor, etc., for any obvious bias.
For quick information, such as for entertainment, shopping, travel, company information, immediate news updates, sports, etc.

Wikipedia, for instance, is a common Web source used by students and others. It is a crowd-sourced online encyclopedia, which can be edited by anyone, without any expertise on a topic, and with nobody ensuring its absolute accuracy. Therefore it is not considered as reliable for research. It is still useful, though, if the entries are carefully compared to other sources. The reference links at the end of a topic site may also lead to good, useful sites. Do not use Wikipedia as a paper or project source, but do use it as a background source among other sources that are considered more reliable.

Blog Entries :

A blog entry is commonly a personal account posted online (a Website type) without any kind of review, although many organizations also have blogs now. As with any source, it’s important to identify the author (look for “About Us” if there’s no author identified on the blog post) and consider any biases that may exist. (Blog is short for Web log).

Use Blogs to:

Find current information or opinions about a variety of topics (popular culture, scientific research, organizational events, etc.)
Identify various viewpoints on a topic that may not exist in mainstream sources

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Take the short quiz for this page. See Quizzes.

Additional Resources for More Information on Source Types

Resource : Information Cycle, Univ. of Washington Libraries, YouTube video, 12:28 m., 2012, The Information Cycle

Navigate through the Tutorial using NEXT at the bottom of each page.