3. Selecting Resources

Before searching for information on your topic, it's important to decide what types of resources will work best for your research. Should you look for books, websites, journal articles, newspapers or something else?

Information NeedType of Resources
General information, definition, or short overview: Encyclopedias, dictionaries, or other reference works, in print or on the web
In-depth analysis: Books or scholarly journals
Detailed, in-depth, current research: Scholarly journals or scholarly websites
Current, brief reporting: Newspapers, magazines or websites

You will also need to determine how accurate and appropriate the source is for your needs. These guides can help you: