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4. Types of Resources

Information can come from virtually anywhere -- personal experiences, books, articles, expert opinions, encyclopedias, the Web -- and the type of information you need will change depending on the question you are trying to answer. Look at the following sources of information. Notice the similarities between them.

Primary Source of information are original sources. Secondary Source share information that has been collected from primary sources.
  • knowledge that you get by observing or participating in an activity
  • interview
  • letter
  • diary

 
  • gathered, compiled, & summarized
  • newspapers
  • magazines
  • encyclopedias
  • television special

Keep in mind the following three questions:

  1. Which sources can you find?
  2. Which sources guide you to other information on your topic?
  3. Which sources would you use when writing a research paper?

Research papers rely on sources of information other than the writer's personal knowledge and experience. The best place to look for primary sources in a  library.  Types of sources and how to locate information will be discussed in the other modules.

When choosing a source, keep in mind the following:

  • Accuracy

  • Authority

  • Relevance

  • Currency
     
Print Resources Electronic Resources WWW