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There are so many different ways information can be presented. Each way has its own strengths and weaknesses. So, when you are doing your own research, it is important to understand the differences in each type of source so that you can choose the ones that work best for you! This page explores different types of resources and their characteristics:
Is the source...
...primary?
Primary sources contain original data and information. They can include firsthand accounts or raw data, anything that is completely original.
...or secondary?
A secondary source is a source that is interpreting, presenting, or analyzing existing information, including primary sources and even other secondary sources.
...scholarly?
Scholarly sources have been reviewed by other scholars in the field of study to make sure that they present valid and reliable information. Scholarly sources often go much more in-depth into a topic, use topic-specific language, and provide full citations.
...or popular?
Popular sources are not necessarily reviewed for credibility. Rather, they are written to inform, persuade, or entertain a general audience. Popular resources are often easier to understand and provide a good general overview of a topic.
Specific types of sources:
Books
Books (and ebooks) are a great way to go in-depth on a topic. The main issue with books is that they take a while to write and publish, so the information is not always guaranteed to be completely up-to-date.
Academic journals
Academic journals are the main source of scholarly content. All articles published in these journals has been reviewed by academic peers for validity. Journal articles may use unfamiliar language and subject-specific concepts and jargon.
Magazines
Magazines are written to inform and entertain a general audience on a variety of subjects. They are not scholarly sources, but are great resources for getting up-to-date information on current events as they are published frequently.
Newspapers
Newspapers provide the most up-to-date information on current events, as they are usually published daily. They also provide good coverage of local information. However, they are not scholarly and can often present bias.
Websites
There is a huge number of websites on a broad variety of subjects, but not all of them are credible sources. Anyone can publish anything they'd like on the web, so it is important to scrutinize web sites for validity. However, it is a great way to find business and government information, statistics, up-to-date news, and more (so long as you vet it).
Data sets
Data sets are primary sources that provide the raw data from surveys or research. Depending on the researcher's credentials, these can be a great resource for learning about a subject or supporting an argument. Often the data is presented in a graph, pie chart, or spreadsheet.
Trade publications
Trade publications are journals and magazines written for and by people in a certain field. These are not usually scholarly sources, but rather, news, general information, trends, and reports.
Government publications
Government publications are resources and information written and distributed by the government. This can include copies of laws, statistics, public records, and more.
Encyclopedias/Reference Sources
These sources provide a good, authoritative overview of a subject. However, they do not provide much in-depth information. They are a great place to start research or go to find a quick answer.
Other media
Sources such as television shows, podcasts, and movies can also be used as resources when conducting research. Just like with any source, these items must be scrutinized for reliability and validity. However, if they pass the test, they are a great option for research.
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