- Info
Plan Possible Sources
Choose the right source for the right project.
Good research requires finding information in a variety of resources and with multiple points of view.
To learn how, watch this Popular and Scholarly Sources tutorial that focuses on magazines and journals. Then review the information below, and click on the links to learn when and how to use the various sources. Last, complete the activity at the bottom.
If this inquiry requires,
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Then try this type of source:
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The most up-to-date information
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Newspaper, magazine, website, almanac
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Historical information
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Reference, nonfiction book, biography, primary source, documentary
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Background or summary information
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General encyclopedia, dictionary
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Very specific or in-depth information
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Nonfiction book, magazine, website, reference, documentary
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Firsthand accounts
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Primary source, interview, nonfiction book, biography, documentary
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Adapted with permission from the Empire State Information Fluency Continuum by New York City Dept. of Education
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Type of Source
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What Does It Have?
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Where Can I Find It?
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Annual statistics, facts, charts and tables |
On your public or school library shelf
Internet (Some may require subscriptions.)
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Facts and accounts about notable people |
On your public or school library shelf In databases, found on OSLIS or on school and public library websites eBooks |
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Dictionary
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Word definitions, spellings, and pronunciations
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On your public or school library shelf
Internet (Some may require subscriptions.)
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Visual expressions of facts, reports, and/or opinions |
On your public or school library shelf
Streaming sources (Some may require subscriptions.)
Television
Internet
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Authoritative overviews on most topics |
On your public or school library shelf
Internet version your public or school library subscribes to; found on library’s website
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Consultations with an expert, in person or via telephone or email |
First consult with teacher or librarian
Directories
Internet
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Publications containing articles and illustrations, issued weekly or monthly |
On your public or school library shelf In databases, found on OSLIS or on school and public library websites Internet (Some may require subscriptions.) |
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Publications containing articles and illustrations, issued daily or weekly |
On your public or school library shelf In databases, found on OSLIS or on school and public library websites Internet (Some may require subscriptions.) |
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Informative, factual writings on a single topic, which can include authors' opinions |
On your public or school library shelf eBooks provided by school or public libraries, accessed from their websites eBooks found within databases, found on OSLIS or on school and public library websites |
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First-hand accounts or or original objects produced during the time being studied
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Internet
Museums and archives
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Authoritative, factual articles which can include multiple topics in a subject area |
On your public or school library shelf eBooks provided by school or public libraries, accessed from their websites eBooks in databases, found on OSLIS or on school and public library websites |
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Page/s on the Internet with information that should be checked for accuracy and bias |
Internet
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| Some information adapted with permission from the Virginia Tech University Libraries |
Still having trouble finding sources? Read about specialized resources, or ask your librarian.
Activity:
Fill out the Exploring Possible Sources worksheet to help you think about sources that might be a good starting point for your research project.
Next => Now that you have done some planning, it is time to go to the next step of the OSLIS research process: Find.
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