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English 111/111C

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Research Strategy

Get the FACTs about Sources

F = Function How will the information function in your paper? Will it act as a background or supporting source?

  • Background sources give you a bird's-eye view of your topic and help you determine what other information you need. Finding background sources is a good place to start your research. Encyclopedias, websites, and books are examples of great background sources.
  • Supporting sources can be examples, data, original research or anything that helps support your claim or argument. These sources provide targeted information for a narrow portion of your research paper. Usually, you look for these sources after you have the background sources you need. Data from government statistics and academic journals are examples of great supporting sources.

A = Audience For whom is the information written?

  • Scholarly sources like academic journal articles are written by scholars for other scholars. These sources are very reliable and narrow in focus, but may not be as current.
  • Popular sources like websites, magazines, and news are written or compiled by generalists for a general audience. These sources don't go through the lengthy review process scholarly sources do, so they aren't always as reliable. However, these sources can provide more current information.

C= Currency How up-to-date is the information and how long does it take to produce?

  • Current sources like websites and news can be produced quickly and updated frequently. Information may be incomplete or change frequently, especially when events are still developing.  It is important to know the date and sometimes even the time information was published to judge its usefulness and credibility.
  • Established sources like books and academic journals take longer to produce. They may be more reliable or comprehensive because more time is taken to produce them, but they won't provide the most current information.

T = Type Will you find the information on the web or in Delta Library's OneSearch database tool?

  • Web sources are easy to find, but many are not suitable for academic research. You may need to evaluate many sites before you find one you can use. You may also encounter pay walls and other barriers to accessing the information you need. If you are looking for very current information; however, the web is the place to look first. 
  • OneSearch puts the power of Delta Library's many databases at your fingertips. Search for most source types with one search and easily access millions of sources for free!

Which Source is Which?

Common Source Types
Source Type Audience Description
Social Media Popular Very current and updated frequently. Information may be incomplete, false, or biased.
News Popular

Very current and updated frequently. May be presented on TV, radio, print, websites, blogs, or social media. Varies widely in coverage and quality. Credible sources will update and verify information, add context, and develop the story as details emerge. May contain opinion and analysis, which should be clearly marked. Should be dated for verification of credibility.
Websites Popular Can be very current and updated frequently or out-of-date and even abandoned. Always check the date to verify credibility. Some information presented is only on the web, but sites can also be another source type like a newspaper or magazine site. Sites vary widely in topic coverage and quality, from highly reliable government information to satire news sites meant for entertainment.
Magazines Popular Updated less frequently than news sources but provide current information. Available in print, library databases, and on the web. Great variety in topic coverage including news, hobbies, health and beauty, home and garden, history, science, politics, technology and more. Articles range widely in content and quality, from short pieces meant for entertainment to longer, serious articles useful for academic research.
Journals Scholarly Not as current as magazines. Available in print, library databases, and on the web through Google Scholar and Open Access Journal websites. Written by experts and scholars for others in the same field. Report on original research, are narrow in focus, and contain very reliable information. Because journal articles are based on original research and are so thoroughly checked for accuracy, they are not as current as popular sources.
Books or eBooks Popular or Scholarly Take longer to publish, but give the most in-depth coverage of a topic. Available from library databases as print or eBooks, and on the web through Google Books. Can be written by non-experts for a popular audience and published by a popular press or by experts for a scholarly audience and published by a scholarly or university press. Because books take longer to research and write, they take longer to publish. Books will be available on most established topics but not the most current.
Reference Works, Statistics, and Government Reports Popular

Take the longest to produce. Most often available in library databases and on the web. Reference works gather information that is well established and accepted as fact, as in encyclopedia articles. Can also be compiled statistics and data, mostly from government sources. Library references are considered more reliable than web-based references like Wikipedia, but government reports available on the web are highly reliable.
Local Sources Popular What if you need to know the number of pounds of waste recycled in Saginaw per year or need to find out how to set the aperture on your camera? Sometimes the best source is an expert in your community. Your local waste management department or photography club could probably help you find that information.