Are you looking for background information to better understand a topic? (The information found in these sources (encyclopedias, wikis, etc) is typically too "common knowledge" to appear on a bibliography.)

Reference Tools (for basic information on a topic)

Are you looking for timely data, quotes, and perspectives on culture, politics, economics, technology, etc? 

Best for research questions involving:

• Current events

• Cultural analysis

• Public policy

• Tech trends

• Community-based issues

• Company profiles

Best to use:

• Quality, relevant websites (Let Google or generative AI help you locate them)

• Database collections; filter for "ebooks" and periodicals like "newspapers", "magazines", "reports".

Which databases should I use?

• Collections by Subject

• Collections A-Z

• Collections by Vendor (for more advanced researchers)

NOTE: Your librarian is eager to advise you on the best sources of information. Just stop by or email your assignment prompt to emily.hedges@sckans.edu

Are you looking for scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles that push the boundaries of theoretical and applied knowledge?

Best for:

• Literature reviews

• Original research papers

• Theoretical framework application

• Evidence-based analysis

• Grad capstone, theses, or dissertations

• Experimentation and lab reports

• Education practice research

• Meta-analysis

Best to use:

• Database collections filtering for "peer-reviewed" and "journals" 

• Google Scholar as a way to locate sources but NEVER pay to access. If you don't find them in our collections, ask your librarian!

Which databases should I use?

• Collections by Subject

• Collections A-Z

• Collections by Vendor (for more advanced researchers)

NOTE: Your librarian is eager to advise you on the best sources of information. Just stop by or email your assignment prompt to emily.hedges@sckans.edu