Finding Sources

Finding Sources is IMPORTANT.

1. Internet sources are awesome, but they are not always accurate, reliable, or up-to-date. See our C.R.A.P. chart for choosing a good Internet source.

2. Most teachers and professors will only allow one or two Internet sources. The rest have to be primary and secondary sources.

A primary source is a document (diary, newspaper article, journal or magazine article), recording, interview or artifact (like a piece of the Hindenburg). For our Example, we have chosen the Hindenburg Blimp. Clicking on the links shows examples of those very sources that are Primary Sources.

A Secondary source is a document or recording that gives specific, detailed, and correct information about a subject matter. This is a link to the scientific reason for the Hindenburg explosion. It is an online article source. The second link is to a book in our catalog (OPAC).

For primary sources, a good start is always the Library of Congress. The library of congress contains a wealth of information about our history and house digitally, thousands and thousands of primary sources. Pictures, Videos, diaries, letters, articles...its all there.

Our OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) also known as Destiny, is available 24/7. You can search for sources from home, the classroom, wherever you are. Email Ms Core through Google mail to place a hold on specific items for your research. Or, come in and see Ms. Core. She'll set you up with your own ability to place holds on materials yourself.

You may also use many of the websites linked under Recommended Websites.

Note that many people start with almanacs, maps, atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries, or even Wikipedia. They do not USE these as SOURCES in their paper, but as a starting point to get basic information about their topics. Why not use these are actual sources? Well, back when you were younger, your teachers may have actually allowed it, but at this point, you should be "upping your game". These sources all very basic information about your topic. They, however, do not have the depth of knowledge required in a research paper.