Where to find your information

Here are some of the most commonly used information sources for research:

Books - also known as monographs, offer a thorough and systematic treatment of a subject. A library contains many different types of books. They can provide detailed in-depth information on a subject or a general overview. Books are the resource most people look for first when doing research. Many books have chapters and indexes which help you find information contained within them more quickly. Books may be an appropriate source to find information on your topic. Books are considered reputable sources, but they may not contain the most up to date information on the topic. Use the Library Catalog to do a subject search on your topic.
Serials - is a collective term for newspaper, magazine, and journal. Serials may also be known as periodicals. They are published at regular intervals (such as daily, weekly, monthly) and may be both print and electronic.
Articles - are best for the most current information. Remember that some articles may be slanted, so it's important to evaluate them against your background research. You will need to have your library card to access these databases from off campus.
Databases - general databases will have information about almost every topic, but some topics may be covered in greater depth in a subject specific database.
Media and Audio Visual - The term audio visual (AV) material involves sound and visual images. This includes resources such as television programs, motion pictures, and music recordings. Audiovisual aids can be very important visuals that help make your point. You may find illustration, charts, or diagrams in the reference books you used for background research or in books or magazines in the Library. You may also use the Library catalog to locate videos or other types of media. The web is also a good place to find visual aids and there are now several search engines that make the process easier. A Google Image or Video search is usually very helpful.
Web pages - The internet is huge. While there may be lots of sites which will be helpful to you, it is possible to be overwhelmed by the number of results from a search engine. Students often turn to the web as the first source for information. It may be the most convenient, but it is not always the most reliable source. Anyone can publish a web site. The information on the internet should be used with care after proper evaluation.