Selec%ng Informa%on Sources Heng Sovannarith
Introduc%on The materials, evidence, or data used in your research are known as sources. As founda%ons of your research, these sources of informa%on are typically classified into two broad categories: primary and secondary.
Primary Sources Primary sources are works created at the %me of an event, or by a person who directly experienced an event. As to the format, primary source materials can be wriden and non- wriden.
Primary Sources (cont.) Primary sources can include Interviews, diaries, leders, journals, speeches, autobiographies, and witness statements Ar%cles containing original research, data, or findings never before shared Original hand- wriden manuscripts Government documents and public records Art, photographs, films, maps, fic%on, and music Newspaper and magazine clippings Ar%facts, buildings, furniture, and clothing
Primary Sources (cont.) Defining Primary Sources Was the author present at the %me of the event? Is the report an eyewitness account? Is the work original? Was it wriden or created at the %me of the event? Does the informa%on come from personal accounts, experiences, or reports? Are conclusions drawn from first hand evidence?
Primary Sources Example Plato's Republic women in ancient Greece The Declara%on of Independence U. S. history African- American Poetry (1750-1900) U. S. history & literature Diary of Anne Frank experiences of Jews in World War II film footage of the assassina%on of President J. F. Kennedy Na%onal Security Data Archives U. S. history ~ declassified documents
Secondary Sources Secondary sources are works that are one step removed from the original event or experience provide cri%cism or interpreta%on of a primary source
Secondary Sources (cont.) Secondary sources can include Textbooks Review ar%cles and cri%cal analysis essays Biographies Historical films, music, and art Ar%cles about people and events from the past
Secondary Sources (cont.) Defining Secondary Sources Does the author present second- hand accounts of events? Does the source interpret informa%on offered by primary sources? Does the informa%on offer judgments, conjectures, and/or conclusions about events reported in primary sources? Does someone other than the creator interpret the crea%ve work? Are theories, facts, results, or discoveries analyzed, evaluated, and/or interpreted second- hand?
Secondary Sources Example Britannica Online encyclopedia (online) American Na%onal Biography (database) literary cri%cism analyzing a play, poem, novel, or short story magazine or newspaper ar%cles about events or people poli%cal commentary analyzing an elec%on or poli%cian (via Lexis- Nexis database) textbooks
Source of Informa%on There's more out there than just books and the Internet This chapter will guide you to iden%fy a variety of informa%on sources know the advantages and disadvantages of different types of sources, and recognize that appropriate sources of informa%on will vary depending on your needs.
Sources of Informa%on (cont.) There are mul%ple formats and types of sources that you will discover as you begin your research. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each of these can help you make informed decisions in your selec%ons.
Source of Informa%on Informa%on is everywhere - in books and ar%cles and on the internet, from our personal experiences to expert opinions. The type of informa%on needed depends on the ques%on you're trying to answer. Which sources provide informa%on you could use to write a research paper? Which sources guide you to material for your research?
Source of Informa%on (cont.) 1. Magazines 2. Journals 3. Periodical Databases 4. Books 5. Newspapers 6. Library catalog 7. Encyclopedias 8. The Internet 9. Subject Guides
Magazine Purpose: publish ar%cles on popular interests and current events Authors: journalists, staff writers, guest scholars Audience: general public, educated non- expert readers References: usually do not cite sources Formats: print or online; glossy paper, photos, cartoons, ads Use magazines when: you need ar%cles on popular culture you need up- to- date informa%on on current events you want an ar%cle that gives a general overview of your topic Examples: Newsweek Psychology Today
Journal Purpose: Cover very specific topics/ fields of research within a par%cular academic field Authors: Scholars and researchers. Undergoes editorial board review process. Audience: Students, scholars, and researchers References: Cite sources Formats: Print or online; plain paper, tables, charts, few ads Use when you need to: do scholarly research find out what has been studied on your topic find bibliographies ci%ng other relevant research Examples: The Journal of Asian Studies Gene%cs
Periodical Databases A periodical is any publica%on that comes out regularly, like a magazine, journal or newspaper. A periodical database allows you to search for ar%cles on a topic. It points to the cita%ons of ar%cles in a par%cular set of periodicals. Some contain summaries of the ar%cles while others link to the full text (en%re ar%cle). Use when: you want to find ar%cles on a topic from magazines, journals or newspapers you have a subject but don't know what ar%cles cover it Examples: Ebsco Academic (general topics) Medline (medical topics) Sociological Abstracts (sociology journals)
Books Books are available covering virtually any topic. You can use a catalog to find out which books are available in a par%cular library. Use a book: when looking for comprehensive informa%on on a topic to put your topic in context with other important issues to find historical informa%on to find summaries of research to support an argument Examples: Morrison, Toni. The bluest eye. New York: Knopf, 1993. Tallant, Harold D. Evil necessity: slavery and poli%cal culture in antebellum Kentucky. Lexington: Univ Pr of Kentucky, c2003. Bacon, Richard. Horses and money: how to manage an equine business. Cambridge, Mass.: Blackwell Science, 1996. Goodman, Jordan, ed. Tobacco in history and culture: an encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson Gale, c2005.
Newspaper Purpose: Covers current events in a daily publica%on. Authors: staff writers Audience: general public References: rarely cite sources Formats: print or online Use when you need to: find local/global informa%on find informa%on about current events find editorials, and expert or popular opinions Examples: New York Times Cambodian Daily
Library Catalog Purpose: searchable collec%on of records for each item in a library. Provides the loca%on and availability of items. Use when you need to: find where a specific item is located find books or videos (etc.) owned by the library on a par%cular topic renew items that you've checked out Example: Library of Congress Online Cataloging
Encyclopedias Encyclopedias provide short, factual entries available covering virtually any topic. Entries are usually wriden by different authors who are knowledgeable about the topic. Encyclopedias may be general (covering a wide variety of topics) or specific (having in- depth entries on a par%cular topic). You can use a catalog to find out which encyclopedias are available in a par%cular library or you can find some encyclopedias online. Use an encyclopedia: when looking for background informa%on on your topic to find key ideas, people, dates and concepts Examples: Encyclopedia Britannica (general encyclopedia) Goodman, Jordan, ed. Tobacco in history and culture: an encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson Gale, c2005. (subject encyclopedia)
Internet Purpose: Provides access to web documents through links or search engines. Materials can include text, sound, images, or video and cover lots of topics. Use when you need to: find current news and informa%on link to library ar%cle databases find informa%on by or about companies or the government find expert or popular opinions Examples of web sites: hdp://library.louisville.edu hdp://memory.loc.gov hdp://www.oaister.org
Subject Guide Purpose: Provides lists of online or print sources for a par%cular topic. Use when you need to: find the best databases for a par%cular topic contact a librarian specializing in that topic locate internet sites that have been specially chosen by an expert Examples of web sites: Subject Guides List for University of Louisville Libraries Poli%cal Science Guide
Subject Guide (cont.)