Identifying information sources

Where do I start? Which source is best? I did a Web search and got 1,346,896 web sites! Help!!

Where DO you start to find information on your topic? Breaking down the task makes it much more manageable. Here's a good way to start:

First, decide which types of resources will best meet your needs. Consider print (both paper and online) and human resources:

• Print (paper and online) Books, encyclopedias, magazines, professional journals, primary sources such as diaries, newspapers, personal journals, maps, photographs.
• Human sources: Practitioners and researchers such as doctors, teachers, university professors, other professionals and any other expert in the field of study. Laymen (ordinary people) can be useful when you are conducting a survey or just need opinions. You may be a resource if you are conducting an experiment or making observation.

1. Paper

• Search your school library. Use the keyword and subject features on the online catalog.
• Search the catalog of the university and public libraries nearest you. You may not be able to check out materials from the university library, but you can use them in the library's reading room.

2. Online

• Search your school's online subscription reference databases. These contain quality information which does not have to be reviewed or evaluated. You will find magazines, newspapers, professional journals, primary resources, video and audio clips, photographs, and other useful materials. You should be able to take notes or print from the database.
  
  
• Use CD-ROM reference disks available from your library. Not all libraries have CD-ROM in their collections. Check with your librarian.
  
  
• Search the free Web. This resource can provide valuable information, but needs to be heavily scrutinized before using. You may be required by your teacher to evaluate each site you use for authority and accuracy. Even if your teacher does not require you to evaluate each site, you would be better served if you do it anyway. ANYONE can publish on the web. Don't believe everything you see or read. Use this evaluation guide for a quick and easy way to determine if the site is authoritative (the person or agency knows what they are talking about) and accurate (the information is true, accurate and up-to-date).
  
  
  • Here are some tips for searching the free Web:
    1. Use a good search engine. A great choice isAdvanced Search. It is the easiest to use and it offers the some of the best results.
    2. Think about search terms. These should be fairly specific. Write a list ahead of time.
    3. Use a web site evaluation guide to make sure you are using authoritative and accurate sites. You need to turn in an evaluation for each site you use in your paper. Evaluate the site before you use it!
       
       
• Choose the best and most authoritative sources. How do you know which are best? Here are considerations:

  Answer this question: Which sources would the leading academics (researchers and university professors) use?

  1. Look at the bibliographies and additional readings in the back of textbooks and other books on the subject.
  2. Use academic, refereed journals, read the bibliographies in articles pertaining to your subject.
  3. Ask your teacher or other knowledgeable people for ideas on the best sources.
  4. Read reviews of books if you are not sure. Ask your librarian where you can obtain these reviews.
  5. Which titles appear in several sources? Those will be most likely be the best and most authoritative.

Human Resources:

1. Devise interview questions before you contact your human sources.
2. Find people at the following places:
   • Institutions of higher education
   • Businesses
   • Professional agencies such as law and accounting offices
   • Nonprofit organizations such as Red Cross and United Way
   • Service agencies such as hospitals, clinics, and police stations, etc.