The information on this page will help you determine which sources are best for finding the type of information you need for your research project. To learn more about when these types of sources are published on an event or topic, see the Information Cycle.
Select the Best Information Source
Information is available via a wide variety of resources. Use the guidelines below to determine if a particular source is likely to meet your information needs.
Newspapers
Best For
- Daily local, national, and international news, events, and editorial coverage
- Statistics and photojournalism
- Record of events and quotes from experts, officials, and witnesses
Intended Audience
- General audience
Watch For/Consider
- Authors usually not experts
- If a story is breaking, corrections to initial report likely
- Editorial bias of a publication
Popular Magazines
Best For
- Current information
- Short, easy to understand articles (including analysis, interviews, opinions, etc.)
- Photographs and illustrations
Intended Audience
- General audience, or those with a specific, recreational interest (e.g. sports, fashion, science, etc.)
Watch For/Consider
- Authors usually not experts
- Sources aren’t always cited
- Editorial bias of a publication
Professional/Trade
Magazines
Best For
- Current information
- Specialized articles related to a particular discipline or profession (including context and analysis)
Intended Audience
- Professional organizations or professionals/scholars with similar interests
Watch For/Consider
- Articles vary between short and easy to lengthy and highly specific
- Sources aren’t always cited
- Has characteristics in common with both popular magazines and scholarly journals
Scholarly/Academic
Journals
Best For
- In-depth research on a topic
- Focused, peer-reviewed articles written by experts
- Data, statistics, charts, and graphs
- Bibliographies of other sources
Intended Audience
- Scholars, researchers, professionals, and university students in particular field
Watch For/Consider
- Terminology and/or data may be difficult for novices to understand
Books
Best For
- Comprehensive overview of topic
- Background and historical context
- Bibliographies of other sources
Intended Audience
- Varies (general audience through scholars)
Watch For/Consider
- Dated information
- Bias (dependent on author, publisher, etc.)
Websites
Best For
- News
- Government information
- Company information
- Alternate points of view
Intended Audience
- General audience
Watch For/Consider
- Credibility and accuracy cannot always be assured
- Bias (dependent on author, publisher, etc.)
- Sources not always cited