Types of Information Resources
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Quality research requires you to spend a lot of time gathering information, and you are generally encouraged to use a variety of information resource types. What exactly does this mean?
Below are 7 ways to distinguish between different types of information resources when conducting research. Deciding what source types to use will depend on your particular information need. Understand the requirements and expectations of your instructor and assignment, and if in doubt, talk to your teacher and visit the library for more help. |
![[Image of path to top of month with a flag] - 1) #Purpose: Persuade, Inform, Entertain, etc. - All people, and thus all information creators, have biases. To determine how bias may affect an information source and your use of the source, ask yourself: -Who generated the information and why? -What purpose does the information serve? -Who is the intended audience for the information? -What are my own biases related to the information? -How do I plan to use the information?](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/categorizing-information-resources-for-academic-research-block-3_5.png)
![2) #Function: Primary Secondary, and Tertiary Sources -How does the information resource function for you? -In what context are you using the information? Are you using the information...as a first-hand account and uninterpreted evidence (primary source)? ...for interpretation provided by the author (secondary source)? ...as a summary or overview to build context (tertiary source) [cog wheel icon]](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/categorizing-information-resources-for-academic-research-block-4_orig.png)
![3) #Authority: Peer-Reviewed, Edited, User-Generated or User-Created, Crowd-Sourced, etc. [justice scale]: -What makes you trust the information? -What information did the author use? [three intersecting circles icon] -Who has reviewed or edited the information? - Who else has used / referenced the information?](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/categorizing-information-resources-for-academic-research-block-5_orig.png)
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HINT: When prompted to use a peer-reviewed, professionally-reviewed, or scholarly/academic journal information source, the best starting point is to use GUHSD Online Databases, particularly EBSCOhost. Another option is to search open access journal materials, which you are available to everyone for free.
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![[laptop with a package on the screen with a question mark] 4) #Publication Type: Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Encyclopedias, etc. - When instructors request that you use different types of information sources, they often mean to use different publication types since these types are traditionally associated with specific purposes, functions, and authority. Keep in mind: -Publication types may be delivered in different ways, in print and digital forms. -Print types are easier to distinguish since they look different. -Your web browser is generic packaging for information. Since there are less obvious visual clues regarding type, you must ask yourself,](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/categorizing-information-resources-for-academic-research-block-6_orig.png)
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Finding different publication types may require to you to start searching in different places. You may be familiar with search options such as Google Books (limited free access), Google News, and Wikipedia (note crowd-sourced authority). Below are some additional options just for GUHSD students.
NOTE: If you are not at school, you will need to log in to access EBSCOhost and World Book (link only for GUHSD). |
![5) #Format: Text, Image, Audio, and Video - Research often involves reading a lot of text, but remember that relevant information may come in other formats and that sources may consist of more than one information format [icons of writing, images, sound, video play button]](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/1468263272.png)
![6) #Delivery: Digital, Print, and Analog Resources - Remember that publication types and formats may often be delivered in multiple ways [laptop, print book, tape/film]](/uploads/7/5/1/5/75151105/categorizing-information-resources-for-academic-research-block-8_orig.png)
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