Choose the right source
- Find out how many and what kinds of sources you need by looking at your assignment or syllabus, or by asking your professor.
- Does your professor want you to use books? popular articles? scholarly articles? primary sources? statistics?
- Think about the different kinds of questions you need to answer. Cutting edge research is found in scholarly articles, books give good overviews, and newspapers are a great window into what the public thinks. Match the information you need to the source most likely to help you find it. Librarians and professors can be helpful here!
- popular articles
- Articles that report current events and entertain or summarize research of general interest for the general public. Usually written by journalists or general staff writers.
- scholarly articles
-
Articles that report the results of research or analytical studies for scholars, researchers, and students in a particular field of study. Usually written by researchers and experts in their field.
- Primary source
- A document or record containing firsthand information or original data on a topic. (ODLIS)
![[logo] Crest of the University of Wisconsin-Madison](/images/crest.png)
![[logo] Ask a Librarian](/images/ask.png)
