what are acceptable sources for a research paper

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Writing Research Papers

• What Types of References Are Appropriate?

When writing a research paper, there are many different types of sources that you might consider citing.  Which are appropriate?  Which are less appropriate?  Here we discuss the different types of sources that you may wish to use when working on a research paper.   

Please note that the following represents a general set of recommended guidelines that is not specific to any class and does not represent department policy.  The types of allowable sources may vary by course and instructor.

Highly appropriate: peer-reviewed journal articles

In general, you should primarily cite peer-reviewed journal articles in your research papers.  Peer-reviewed journal articles are research papers that have been accepted for publication after having undergone a rigorous editorial review process.  During that review process, the article was carefully evaluated by at least one journal editor and a group of reviewers (usually scientists that are experts in the field or topic under investigation).  Often the article underwent revisions before it was judged to be satisfactory for publication. 

Most articles submitted to high quality journals are not accepted for publication.  As such, research that is successfully published in a respected peer-reviewed journal is generally regarded as higher quality than research that is not published or is published elsewhere, such as in a book, magazine, or on a website.  However, just because a study was published in a peer-reviewed journal does not mean that it is free from error or that its conclusions are correct.  Accordingly, it is important to critically read and carefully evaluate all sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles.

Tips for finding and using peer-reviewed journal articles:

• Many databases, such as PsycINFO, can be set to only search for peer-reviewed journal articles. Other search engines, such as Google Scholar, typically include both peer-reviewed and not peer-reviewed articles in search results, and thus should be used with greater caution. 
• Even though a peer-reviewed journal article is, by definition, a source that has been carefully vetted through an editorial process, it should still be critically evaluated by the reader. 

Potentially appropriate: books, encyclopedias, and other scholarly works

Another potential source that you might use when writing a research paper is a book, encyclopedia, or an official online source (such as demographic data drawn from a government website).  When relying on such sources, it is important to carefully consider its accuracy and trustworthiness.  For example, books vary in quality; most have not undergone any form of review process other than basic copyediting.  In many cases, a book’s content is little more than the author’s informed or uninformed opinion. 

However, there are books that have been edited prior to publication, as is the case with many reputable encyclopedias; also, many books from academic publishers are comprised of multiple chapters, each written by one or more researchers, with the entire volume carefully reviewed by one or more editors.  In those cases, the book has undergone a form of peer review, albeit often not as rigorous as that for a peer-reviewed journal article.

Tips for using books, encyclopedias, and other scholarly works:

• When using books, encyclopedias, and other scholarly works (that is, works written or produced by researchers, official agencies, or corporations), it is important to very carefully evaluate the quality of that source.
• If the source is an edited volume (in which case in the editor(s) will be listed on the cover), is published by a reputable source (such as Academic Press, MIT Press, and others), or is written by a major expert in the field (such as a researcher with a track record of peer-reviewed journal articles on the subject), then it is more likely to be trustworthy.
• For online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia, an instructor may or may not consider that an acceptable source (by default, don’t assume that a non-peer reviewed source will be considered acceptable). It is best to ask the instructor for clarification. 1

Usually inappropriate: magazines, blogs, and websites  

Most research papers can be written using only peer-reviewed journal articles as sources.  However, for many topics it is possible to find a plethora of sources that have not been peer-reviewed but also discuss the topic.  These may include articles in popular magazines or postings in blogs, forums, and other websites.  In general, although these sources may be well-written and easy to understand, their scientific value is often not as high as that of peer-reviewed articles.  Exceptions include some magazine and newspaper articles that might be cited in a research paper to make a point about public awareness of a given topic, to illustrate beliefs and attitudes about a given topic among journalists, or to refer to a news event that is relevant to a given topic. 

Tips for using magazines, blogs, and websites:

• Avoid such references if possible. You should primarily focus on peer-reviewed journal articles as sources for your research paper.  High quality research papers typically do not rely on non-academic and not peer-reviewed sources.
• Refer to non-academic, not peer-reviewed sources sparingly, and if you do, be sure to carefully evaluate the accuracy and scientific merit of the source.

Downloadable Resources

• How to Write APA Style Research Papers (a comprehensive guide) [ PDF ]
• Tips for Writing APA Style Research Papers (a brief summary) [ PDF ]

Further Resources

How-To Videos     

• Writing Research Paper Videos

Databases and Search Engines (may require connection to UCSD network)

• Google Scholar
• PubMed (NIH/NLM)
• Web of Science  

UCSD Resources on Finding and Evaluating Sources

• UCSD Library Databases A-Z
• UCSD Library Psychology Research Guide: Start Page
• UCSD Library Psychology Research Guide : Finding Articles
• UCSD Library Psychology Research Guide : Evaluating Sources

External Resources

• Critically Reading Journal Articles from PSU/ Colby College
• How to Seriously Read a Journal Article from Science Magazine
• How to Read Journal Articles from Harvard University
• How to Read a Scientific Paper Infographic from Elsevier Publishing
• Tips for searching PsycINFO from UC Berkeley Library
• Tips for using PsycINFO effectively from the APA Student Science Council

1 Wikipedia articles vary in quality; the site has a peer review system and the very best articles ( Featured Articles ), which go through a multi-stage review process, rival those in traditional encyclopedias and are considered the highest quality articles on the site.

Prepared by s. c. pan for ucsd psychology, graphic adapted from  t-x-generic-apply.svg , a public domain creation by the tango desktop project..

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• Research Paper Structure
• Formatting Research Papers
• Using Databases and Finding References
• Evaluating References and Taking Notes
• Citing References
• Writing a Literature Review
• Writing Process and Revising
• Improving Scientific Writing
• Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Writing Research Papers Videos

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How to Know if a Source Is Credible

Search engines make virtually limitless information available with just a few clicks, but they don’t guarantee quality or reliability. As a student, it’s your responsibility to identify misinformation, unreliable sources, and author bias in your research.

This article provides a comprehensive checklist that can help you evaluate sources and identify credibility for your academic research endeavors.

The What and Why of Credibility in Academic Research

To begin evaluating sources, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for — which means understanding the basis of reliable information. Simply put, reliable information is based on demonstrable, objective facts and evidence rather than conjecture, opinion, or unproven figures. While citing other articles and including statistics is a good sign that a source is credible, remember that even exact numbers and details can become misinformation if presented inaccurately — so never stop at surface-level source analysis.

Why does credibility matter? Reliable sources lend weight to arguments, ensuring they stand up to scrutiny. Conversely, unreliable sources can introduce errors to a field of study, leading to flawed conclusions. This type of situation can affect the integrity of the broader knowledge base and adversely affect researchers’ reputations — not to mention the academic integrity of students like you.

A Checklist for Validating Academic Information

As information continues to proliferate, credibility becomes increasingly important. This checklist offers a structured approach to ensure your research is grounded in facts and evidence — not misinformation and bias.

1. Identify Who Provided the Information

Source credibility often hinges on the expertise and reputation of its provider.

• Author credentials: A source is only as reliable as its author. When comparing multiple sources, check every author’s academic and professional background.
• Author reputation: Go beyond the initial source to check the author’s credibility across academic databases, news sources, and additional publications. Identify their credentials and think critically about whether this positions them as an expert in the topic.
• Institutional affiliation: Reputable institutions typically adhere to rigorous publication standards. If a source comes from a recognized university or research body, it's likely undergone thorough review. This is not foolproof, but it serves as a green flag for accurate information.
• Peer review: In academia, peer review is the gold standard. It means other experts in the field have examined and approved the content. You can usually find this information in the editorial guidelines for the journal or website that published the content.

2. Acknowledge Any Potential Bias

Every piece of information carries a perspective, so discern its objectivity before using it as a source.

• Objective vs. subjective: While no source is entirely free from bias, it’s vital to distinguish between objective research and opinion pieces. The former is based on empirical evidence, while the latter reflects personal viewpoints.
• Funding sources: Research funded by organizations with vested interests might be skewed. Always check the acknowledgments or disclosure section.
• Affiliations: Authors affiliated with certain groups might have inherent biases. It doesn’t invalidate their work, but it’s an important consideration when determining whether to base your own research on their points.

3. Identify Claims Made Without Proper Data

Valid academic claims are rooted in evidence, and it is essential to scrutinize the data backing them.

• Evidence-based claims: In academic research, claims should be backed by facts. If a source makes broad assertions without evidence, approach it with caution.
• Transparent methodology: A credible source will detail its methodology, allowing peer review, process replication, or bias acknowledgment.
• Unsupported statements: Be wary of sweeping claims that don’t reference other studies. Even original research should cite background information, supporting sources, and related work.

4. Check the Purpose of the Information

Understanding the intent behind a source helps in assessing its relevance and potential bias.

• Informative vs. persuasive: Is the source aiming to inform based on evidence, or is it trying to persuade? Both can be valid, but it’s essential to know the difference and decide if the information is usable on a case-by-case basis.
• Primary vs. secondary sources: Primary sources offer direct evidence or firsthand testimony. Secondary sources analyze or interpret primary sources. While both can be credible, you should still understand and distinguish between them — especially as either type can be a biased source.
• Audience and conflicts: Consider the intended audience because this can shape the type of information being shared. A paper written for industry professionals may have a different tone and depth than one written for general readers.

5. Check Publication Dates

The age of a source can influence its relevance and applicability to current research in several key ways.

• Relevance and recency: In quickly evolving fields, recent publications and news sources are crucial, as they reflect the latest findings and consensus. Older sources can still offer foundational knowledge or a historical perspective; just be aware of the dates associated with all relevant information.
• Historical context: It’s crucial to understand how context shapes both new and older sources. Is the information still evolving, or is it based on long-accepted facts? What research did the author have access to at the time?
• Topic evolution: Comparing multiple sources from different dates can provide unique insight. Tracking the progression of thought on a subject can provide depth to your research, showing how current perspectives were shaped.

6. Assess the Source's Reputation

A source's standing in the academic community can be a strong indicator of its reliability.

• Citations: Sources frequently cited in other works, especially in academic databases, are often more likely to be credible.
• Retractions/corrections: Check if the source has any associated retractions or corrections. This might indicate issues with the content, but it may also indicate a dedication to sharing accurate information.

7. Verify Citations and References

Reliable academic work builds upon previous research, making citations a key component of credibility.

• Backed claims: Ensure that the source's claims are supported by credible references. These should be easy to find, easy to access, and not outdated.
• Authenticity of citations: Check the original publication cited to ensure all information has been represented accurately. You should never rely on a source’s representation of facts but rather check them against the originating source.
• Self-citation: While authors will sometimes cite their previous work, excessive self-citation can be a red flag.

Additional Tips for Research, Sourcing, and Citing

• Consult experts: If you’re unsure about a source, reach out to experts or professors in the field. Their experience can provide insights into the source's reliability.
• Check for comprehensive coverage: Reliable sources often cover topics in depth, addressing multiple facets of an issue rather than presenting a one-sided view.
• Examine the writing style: Credible sources typically maintain a professional tone, avoiding sensationalism or overly emotional language. Spelling and grammar errors are a red flag.
• Look for transparency: Trustworthy sources are transparent about their research methods, data collection, and any potential conflicts of interest.
• Check the domain: Citing sources with a “.edu” or “.gov” domain may be more relevant for an academic paper.
• Filter results: You can also limit your searches to peer-reviewed journals and academic databases at your school’s library or even using Google tricks .
• Use the CRAAP test: A simple way to remember the keys to an authoritative source is CRAAP — Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.
• Simplify citing: Much of the information you use to check a source’s credibility will also be part of your formal sourcing list. Citation apps and extensions help you keep track of this information.

Remember, you’re responsible for avoiding false information and maintaining academic integrity with every word you write — so always stay vigilant in your research.

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Research Paper: A step-by-step guide: 4. Appropriate Sources

• 1. Getting Started
• 2. Topic Ideas
• 3. Thesis Statement & Outline
• 4. Appropriate Sources
• 5. Search Techniques
• 6. Taking Notes & Documenting Sources
• 7. Evaluating Sources
• 8. Citations & Plagiarism
• 9. Writing Your Research Paper

What Source Should You Use?

What type of information do you need.

The type of sources you might need for your research will depend on the type of research you are conducting. Familiarizing yourself with various types of sources will help you with both your current paper and future research. Below you will find a quick overview of common types of resources that will help you navigate how best to choose sources for your research.

 Broad categories of information and where you can find them can be broken down into the following areas:

• Background or introductory information - dictionaries or encyclopedias as found in Gale eBooks
• General information - history or overview - try books from the library catalog
• News and current events - newspapers and current periodicals - try NewsBank  or the New York Times
• Scholarly information - scholarly journal articles in databases
• Discipline specific information - discipline specific databases

Scholarly Resources

Scholarly resources (sometimes called academic resources) have the following qualities:

• Written by experts with credentials or affiliations (PhD, M.D.)
• Written for other experts - each work is a voice in an ongoing conversation
• Scholarly language - technical, discipline specific vocabulary
• Verifiable and reliable evidence - look for citations
• Peer reviewed - editorial process where other experts review and assess information 

Peer review is an important process in scholarly communication. The process of peer review is supposed to ensure that corrections are made to an article before publication, holding the article's content to a higher standard. 

Scholarly journals are the main publication format for scholarly research. Most scholarly journals are available for students online and are accessible through library databases. Find out more about library databases below. 

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Resources

Sometimes you will be asked to find resources categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary resources. For historical research, the library has an excellent guide, Understanding Historical Sources ,  breaking down these types of resources and where you can find them. 

It should be noted that a primary source in the scientific disciplines looks a little different than a primary historical source. Put simply, a primary source in the sciences would be the original research, data, or material that forms the basis for other research. For example, the first time research about a new scientific discovery is published would be the primary source. A paper that analyzes or interprets the original research would be a secondary source. A tertiary source would collect and summarize the information from both the primary and secondary sources. 

Choosing a Resource

The library has many way to help you narrow down what source to use for your research.

• Contact a librarian by email at [email protected]
• Get individualized help from a subject librarian 
• Check out our list of subject research guides
• Watch a video tutorial on one of our specific databases

Choosing the Best Database for Your Project

You will learn about search techniques in a later step of the research process. But for now you can watch a quick video that will help you determine how to choose the best database for your project . 

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• Next: 5. Search Techniques >>
• Last Updated: Apr 18, 2023 12:12 PM
• URL: https://butte.libguides.com/ResearchPaper

Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > The Ultimate Student Guide To Finding Credible Sources

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

The Ultimate Student Guide To Finding Credible Sources

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: January 1, 2020

When it comes to writing a research paper, it’s crucial that you use credible sources to make sure that the information you are stating is actually true. Knowing the difference between credible sources and unreliable sources doesn’t always come so easily with endless information flooding the internet. Thankfully, there are some simple tips that you can use to ensure that you are always using credible sources for research.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that uses original research on a specific topic. There are many different types of research papers, ranging from a high school term paper to a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.

Photo by  Wallace Chuck  from  Pexels

How to start a search for sources, 1. start simple.

If you’re wondering how to find sources for a research paper, the easiest and best way to start is simple! Just try browsing through some common search engines to see what you find.

2. Cross Wikipedia off

Wikipedia, although it’s a massive pool of information, should always be avoided when writing a research paper since it allows the public to edit information. Sites such as these often run the risk of lacking accuracy, and is not one of the most credible sources for research.

3. Yes to scholarly databases

Scholarly databases are your best friend when it comes to finding credible sources for research. Online scholarly databases that can be trusted and are known to provide useful information for students include LexisNexis and EBSCO.

4. Newspapers and magazines

Although sometimes biased, newspapers and magazines can also be a great place to find information about current events.

5. The library

While the library seems to be the most obvious place to find information, somehow it’s often forgotten when it comes to research in the modern age. Don’t forget how useful it can truly be!

Types of Credible Sources for Research

1. what are some credible websites.

Many online sources do not necessarily contain information that is correct or has been checked. That’s why it’s of utmost importance to make sure that you’re using the right websites for your research, with government and educational websites generally being the most reliable.

Credible sources for research include: science.gov, The World Factbook, US Census Bureau, UK Statistics, and Encyclopedia Britannica.

2. What are some credible journal articles?

When it comes to journal articles, determining how credible they are comes much easier than other sources. This is generally due to the fact that many of these websites will include valuable information such as how many times the article has been cited, and if its been peer reviewed.

Some great examples of reliable websites for journal articles include Google Scholar, Oxford Academic, Microsoft Academic, Cornell University Library, and SAGE Publishing.

If you are ever not sure how to find credible sources, then there’s the CRAAP test, which takes into account the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose of the article. Take all of these factors into consideration before using a source and determining whether or not it’s credible enough. Even if it takes more time, you’ll be saving yourself tons of time in the long run by not using unreliable sources.

Photo by  Canva Studio  from  Pexels

3. what are some credible news sources.

When it comes to news articles, more caution must be taken since it’s hard to know which sources are truly reliable and unbiased. The CRAAP test is also useful in this type of article for research.

A few examples of credible news sources include The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Washington Post.

The Credibility of a Source

As you search for your research information, you will surely come across the question of how to find credible sources for a research paper. Here are some criteria to focus on to ensure that you only use the most credible of sources.

1. What’s the depth of it?

Always look at the depth of an article, not just the written content. See how long the article is, and if it contains the necessary information such as an abstract, a reference list, and documented data.

2. Who is reading it?

When judging the credibility of an article, it’s important to always ask yourself who the target audience of the article is. Sometimes, sources have a specific goal in mind and it can create certain biases.

3. What’s the goal?

Just as you should do with the audience, also ask yourself what the article is trying to achieve. What is their ultimate goal and how are they persuading you of that?

4. Who wrote it?

Always ask yourself who wrote the article and how reputable they are in the specific field. Look at what other published works they have as well.

5. Can it be trusted?

Overall, it’s key to ask yourself how reputable the source is. What kind of website is it published on? Look at the big picture.

6. Is it relevant to now?

Look at the date of the article, or about the specific things they are mentioning in the article. If it’s from a few years ago, it’s probably not too relevant to your current research.

7. Can it be proven?

While an article may sound incredibly convincing, many people have a way with words and persuasion. Stop and ask yourself whether or not what they are claiming can actually be proven.

Photo by  bruce mars  from  Pexels

How to evaluate source credibility.

By using unreliable sources in your research, it can discredit your status, which is why it’s incredibly important to make sure that any information you are using is up-to-date and accurate.

Here’s how to find credible sources.

1. What is a credible source?

Generally, materials that have been published within the past 10 years are considered to be credible sources for research. Another important factor to consider is the author — if they are well known and respected in their specific fields, that’s also generally a sign that the article is credible. Educational and government-run websites (.gov, .edu) tend to also be a safe source to use, as well as academic databases. Google Scholar is also a no-fail source for reliable information.

2. What is a potentially unreliable source?

Anything that is out of date, meaning it’s been published more than 10 years ago should be avoided. Materials published on social media platforms such as Facebook or personal blogs don’t tend to be the most credible. Always make sure that an article contains proper citations and that the website you are using ends in .com or .org.

Free Resources For Learning

There are many free resources for research available known as open educational resources . They are licensed for free use, with the intention of teaching. They can be determined as credible sources for research if they have a Creative Common license, and if the author has proven to be an expert in their field. Always make sure that the content you are using contains no biases.

Sites For Scholarly Research

When performing scholarly research, it’s extra important to make sure that your sources are credible. Government-run research is considered credible, but beware of any political sites. University and educational websites also tend to be reliable, but still take everything you read with a grain of salt. Company websites also tend to be reliable, although their ultimate goal is usually to promote a product. Organizations which are .org websites can be professional and reliable, however, sometimes they also have their own interests.

Which Sites Can Be Relied On

The internet has no shortage of information out there. That’s why you’ll need these handy tips to determine which to use, and how to distinguish through the vast choices without feeling overwhelmed.

List of Credible Research Sources to Consider

1. government entities.

These websites tend to be reliable since they are highly regulated. Examples include the CIA World Factbook and the United States Justice Statistics.

2. Research Think Tanks

Examples of reliable research think tanks include Rand Corporation, Pew Research Center and The Milken Institute.

3. Academic Libraries and Databases

ProQuest, Scopus, and Jstor are great examples of academic libraries and databases that can be trusted.

4. Professional Standards Organizations

The American Bar Association and The American Psychological Association (APA) are highly credible sources when it comes to professional standards.

How to Write a Research Paper: Step-by-Step

Now that you’re an expert on finding credible sources for research, you’re ready to go! But how do you even start to write a research paper? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

For starters, it’s important to get clear instructions from your professor on what they want. The next step is to start brainstorming ideas for a topic of research. Once you’ve decided and feel confident about it, you’re ready to create your outline and plan out the goal of your research paper.

Befriend your librarian and start to search for quality and credible sources through a variety of means. Make sure you understand your topic from top to bottom before you start writing.  As you write, be sure to always keep things factual, and that you finalize your thesis statement throughout your paper — not just at the end. That’s what’s going to guide your writing. Be sure to always keep format in mind, never forget to cite your sources, and to never skip those edits and final checks.

Now you are ready to write a high-quality, fact-driven research paper that’s sure to impress your professors.

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Writing Center

Research papers, develop a research question and thesis, do the research.

• Establishes your credibility as a researcher/scholar by showing you’re familiar with debates and current opinions
• Helps your readers come to trust your judgment by allowing them to find and read your sources for themselves
• Guides others who may want to learn about the same topic
• Acknowledges the ideas and words of others.

Information you must record

• Titles (of both articles and the journals they appear, as well as books)
• Pages for articles (all the pages of the article, including the one you are citing if it’s a particular page)
• Date of publication
• For books, a place of publication and publisher
• Direct quotes, word for word with no typos. Note the page numbers carefully. If the page changes in the middle of a quote, make a note of that. If the quote contains a typo, copy it exactly and make a note. (Often the Latin word [ sic ] in square brackets is used to indicate that an error appears in the original source.) If you omit any words when you copy, indicate that with an ellipsis (three dots . . . ).
• Paraphrases. In your own words, restate what the source says. Note the page numbers carefully. Be as original as possible in writing your paraphrase, but without changing the meaning. Don’t use the same word order as the original. And don’t simply replace a few words with synonyms: that can constitute plagiarism. Instead, read the original carefully twice and then set it aside and write what you remember. Then re-check the original to be sure you were accurate.
• Summaries. What is the gist of the source, not referring to any particular page or section? Again, be sure to use your own words.

Methods of organizing research notes

• End Notes and RefWorks. These are electronic ways to organize notes supported by University Libraries. From the University Libraries homepage, go to “Citing Your Sources” under the “Class Resources” heading.
• Index cards . For every source, record the full citation for the Works Cited or Reference page (author name, titles, dates, page numbers, etc.) on one card, and label it with a letter. When you take notes from that source, put the letter of the source at the top of the card. Use a new card for every note.
• Word files . For every source, create a Word file and record the full citation for the Works Cited or Reference pages (author name, titles, dates, page numbers, etc.) at the top. Name it with a short reminder of the source, such as the first author’s name. When you take notes, use the file for that source.
• Photocopies . Photocopy the title pages and all publication information you will need as well as any pages you will cite.
• Matrices . Create a matrix, where you can record both the source information and relevant citation (direct, paraphrase, or summary). Matrices are useful if you already have a basic thesis and a few main points in mind. Label the columns across the top with a letter or number you’ve used to identify your work. Use the columns to record your notes. Use quotation marks to show if you quoted directly.

Read the Research Critically

• What is the main idea or thesis? How is the main idea supported and developed?
• What content is new to you? What concepts does the text introduce? (e.g., new vocabulary, a new theory, a new perspective on an established concept)
• What questions, issues, or problems does this text address? Does it create or bring up additional questions?
• How is the text organized? (e.g., categorically, chronologically, compare/contrast, scientific method)
• What type of writing is the text? (e.g., narrative, research study, critical analysis, review)

Critical Reading Tips

• Read the text several times if needed.
• Highlight key phrases, sentences, or words, but don’t highlight too much. Otherwise, nothing will stick out from the text.
• Look for words or headings that signal organization or that might lead to main points.
• Mark unfamiliar terms and difficult sections to reread, look up, or discuss with your professor.
• Take notes or outline the text’s organization and content. Review what you write.
• Annotate and comment, or respond to the text in writing. Writing allows you to think deeply about the content and make connections with the ideas in the text.
• Read complicated sections out loud. Slowing down and using two senses (hearing and seeing) helps you understand and retain the information more effectively. It also helps you pay attention instead of letting your eyes superficially sweep over the words.
• Allow plenty of time to read; skimming isn’t the best method for reading critically.

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• / How can I find good sources for my research paper?

Collecting sources for a research paper can sometimes be a daunting task. When beginning your research, it’s often a good idea to begin with common search engines, like Google, and general descriptions like you can find on Wikipedia. Often though these are not the sources you ultimately want in your paper. Some tips for getting from this beginning research to finding “good” sources include the following.

• Make a list of research terms you can use when searching in the library or even online. Start with your core list, but also add other keywords and phrases that you notice as you research. Also, when you find a good source, look to see if it has “tags.” You can add these phrases to your list search terms. Sometimes the tags are also links that you can follow which will take you to lists of similar sources.
• Think about the kind of sources required by the assignment and also the kind of sources that are “good” for your question or topic. Many library search engines and databases have the option to return only “peer-reviewed” or “scholarly” sources—which are sources that have been read by other scholars before being published.  Also, the UofL library offers a list of Research Guides which can help you find useful databases for finding sources. When considering what counts as a “good” source, it’s smart to consider what question you’re asking. If you’re making an argument about how a term is commonly understood, then using dictionaries or Wikipedia would be a good source. If you’re making an argument about developing research in Psychology, then you’ll want to focus on those peer-review or scholarly sources.
• Review the works cited or bibliography section of sources that have already been helpful. The sources they are using will probably be helpful to you also. Some search engines, like Google Scholar, include a link under a source that says “Cited by”—which brings back a list of other sources that have used the source you’re looking at. Google Scholar provides varying quality in their results, depending on the subject area and other things, but it’s a great place to start.
• The reference librarians in Ekstrom library (right next door to the University Writing Center) are available to help you with your research. You can make appointments to meet with them here. During these appointments, they can help you find the most helpful databases, decide what sources might be most helpful, and more.

What can the Writing Center do to help?

Writing Center consultants can meet with you to help you get started and find a good direction when working on a research project. This includes but certainly isn’t limited to brainstorming lists of research terms, deciding which kinds of sources will best help you answer your research question(s), looking at some preliminary helpful sources, and more. Talking about these topics can help you figure out how to approach searching for and finding good sources. We also know how and when to refer you for a follow-up appointment with the Reference Assistance and Instruction department.

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7 Non-Scholarly Sources you should Never Reference

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

This post is part of a three-part series on referencing scholarly articles. You might also like:

• 9 tips on How to find Scholarly Articles for Free Online ; and
• Seven Best Essay Sources you should Cite

You’ve probably used one of these bad essay sources before. Hopefully, you’ve learned your lesson from teacher’s feedback.

Unfortunately, students can get a long way into their degree without learning which essay sources are no-go sources for essays. That’s because university teachers tend to be really bad at teaching students how to find credible sources in essays.

Before I get started, let me quickly answer two questions about what makes an essay source credible:

1. Credible vs Non-Credible Sources

Credible sources are:

• Up-to-Date. Most of your sources should have been written within the past ten years;
• Peer Reviewed. There’s only two sources that tend to be peer reviewed: journal articles and textbooks. Peer reviewed sources are ideal because experts on the topic have read over the sources and certified their quality, reliability and credibility.
• Relevant. Even a good quality source needs to also be relevant to your paper’s topic: there’s no use using an excellent source that’s got nothing to do with what you’re writing about.

2. Why is it Important to use Credible Sources in Research?

These days the internet is awash with bad information. As a university student, you need to be able to show the skill of finding sources that are authoritative and methodologically rigorous. One of the top skills that your degree signifies is that you’ve got the skills to conduct high-quality research. You need to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Okay, let’s get straight into it. Here I’ve compiled a simple list of seven examples of unreliable essay sources which you should avoid referencing at all costs. These are sources that are not credible or reliable sources for essays.

1. Wikipedia

Okay, so here’s the deal. Read Wikipedia. Your friends do, your competitors do, and even your teachers do.

But remember three things:

• It’s been written by anybody. Literally, anybody could have written it. You can go online right now and change the Queen’s Wikipedia page to whatever you like. So, you don’t know how good the source is. It could have been written by a high school student or an Ivy League professor. You just don’t know.
• People change the details on Wikipedia pages all the time. You could be being pranked, lied to, or just getting really average information.
• Wikipedia is a red flag to markers. This rule makes all the others irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that if your teacher sees the word ‘Wikipedia’ anywhere in your essay, your mark will plummet immediately.

Now, let’s get back to talking about what happens in real life: everyone reads Wikipedia. And it’s right the vast majority of the time.

What’s Wikipedia Good For? Wikipedia functions as a brief, accessible and easy-to-read introduction to a topic. Read it when you want to begin to develop an understanding of the topic. It’s a good source to go to if you don’t have a textbook at hand. But, find higher quality sources to cite in your essays.

Reading Wikipedia is not the end of your research process. You should always, after reading Wikipedia, jump onto Google Scholar and continue your search for credible essay sources . Find articles (or better yet, textbooks) that give general introductions to your topic. Read textbooks on the issue when you can: they were written to be readable by undergraduates. Journal articles weren’t.

By the time you’re ready to write about the topic, you probably have read 5 other more credible scholarly sources on the topic. Cite credible sources, not Wikipedia.

YouTube is used all the time by teachers.

This doesn’t mean you’re allowed to use it as an essay source.

The reason teachers use YouTube is that it’s a really engaging, useful way to deliver information. Teachers find it to be a useful way to teach hard-to-explain content. They are always on the search for usable, motivating texts that might both act as a stimulus for discussion and help students learn.

But YouTube videos in class are just that – a stimulus for discussion. They’re not supposed to be the ‘final word’ on a topic, or even an authoritative and credible essay source. Good teachers present YouTube videos in ways that are followed up with critique and analysis of the content within the video.

Resources used in essays are not like that. The resources you use in essays need to be academically vetted through a process called peer review . Textbooks and journal articles meet that standard. YouTube videos don’t.

3. Google Books

Okay, use the Google Books website. It’s excellent. I recommend you use it regularly to find good quality and credible textbooks. But be smart about how you cite Google Books .

Google Books is an excellent source for finding information from textbooks that are otherwise unavailable to you.

That’s because Google Books actually gives you a sneak peek into actual good quality textbooks. You can read full segments of the books, and if you’re lucky, they’re the exact book segments that you need to learn about your specific topic. It’s an excellent resource!

Use the ‘book preview’ section of Google Books to write your essays . Read the sections of textbooks that are available to you, and paraphrase and/or quote that information in your essays.

So, why is it not okay to reference Google Books previews?

Simply put, why would you reference the book as if it’s a website when you can actually reference the book as a book ?

Tip: Cite Your Google Book Previews as Books, Not Websites When you use Google Books to access information for your next essay, take the time to preview the inside cover of the book and extract the information needed to reference the book you’re previewing as a book .

Here’s an example of the difference between referencing a book as if you read it on Google books versus as an actual book. Both citations follow APA formatting:

The first citation (as a website) screams “I wrote my assignment purely through Google!” The second citation (as a book) says “I read books to conduct my research.”

Learn the rules of the game. The second citation looks better, is better, and will not throw up a red flag to your teacher. You’ll get better marks.

So next time you use Google Books, cite the book, not the webpage.

4. Essay Sharing Websites

A failable offense. This should never be used as an essay source.

There are websites out there that give you access to previous students’ essays.

There are also websites out there where you can pay someone else to write your essay .

The helpfulprofessor.com website is adamantly opposed to cheating. We believe in playing by the rules, and it’s our mission to teach you the strategies for working within the rules.

We do not, ever, condone using someone else’s intellectual property. This means we’re against the idea of copying a previous student’s essay, and we’re against paying someone to write your essay for you.

Unfortunately, I’m sure you’ve come across essay writing services in your time perusing the web.

Occasionally I have a student who’s done the lesser offense of looking up previous students’ essays on websites like the ones listed above. Then, they actually referenced the essays they read! Clearly, they don’t understand that this is a rule-breaker , and I usually arrange a gentle one-to-one tutorial with them to reinforce how much this is not allowed.

But, please, don’t reference websites that give you access to someone else’s essay . You’ll be in for a world of pain when you get your feedback. In fact, I’d recommend not ever even going onto these websites at all. It’s borderline, if not totally, cheating.

5. Famous Quotes from the Web

Inspirational quotes are rarely if ever, used well in essays.

Students will often cite Einstein, Nelson Mandela, The Bible, The Quran or other inspirational quotes in their papers.

They usually do this to open their essay.

Here’s a simple rule: If you found the quote from a website such as brainyquote.com, or if the quote was found in fancy writing overlaying a mountaintop a forest scene, don’t use it.

Quotes from the internet are far too often:

If the place where you found the quote doesn’t accurately reference the exact speech, book, or source of the quote – don’t use it. If you still really like the quote, try to read the original source text and see what the person was actually saying.

• Taken out of context. Inserting one line of a famous speech doesn’t do that quote justice. We all know from political advertisements that political parties grab one phrase from Obama or Trump or Sanders or Clinton or whoever and use it to paint the opponent as a horrible human being. In other words, quotes can lie. That’s why you need to be able to insert any quotes in a way that involves detailed discussion and analysis of the quote. Inspirational, attention-grabbing quotes just don’t achieve this goal. Ask yourself: Did you actually read the page from the original source of the quote? Do you understand the surrounding paragraphs? What’s the quote in relation to?
• Not relevant. It looks terrible when a quote is used in an essay that is not directly related to the essay topic. Nelson Mandela was talking about apartheid South Africa. If you’re not writing an essay on apartheid South Africa, don’t cite Nelson Mandela. Martin Luther King was talking about civil rights in the United States. If you’re not talking about civil rights in the United States, don’t reference Martin Luther King. Even if you are writing about civil rights in the United States, please analyze King’s quote! What was King’s perspective? Why was it important?

I do recognize that sometimes you do need to cite very famous people. Quoting the pope as an essay source might have its place in a religious studies class. Similarly, if you’re actually writing an essay on evolution, go ahead and cite Charles Darwin. But cite these authors in context.

Here’s a solution: Find a quote or reference to someone who was actually talking about the specific topic you are writing about. If you’re writing about teaching philosophy , don’t cite a quote about education by Nelson Mandela. Instead, cite a key author in the area of Education . If you’re writing about nurses’ bedside manner, don’t cite Jesus. Cite a key medical or nursing scholar.

Then, analyse the quote. What does it mean, and what’s its relevance to your essay topic?

6. Your Teacher

This one needs some explanation.

Don’t Cite Lecture Slides Firstly, the obvious: don’t cite your teacher’s lecture slides. Lecture slides are something the teacher either:

• Slapped together on Sunday night in preparation for Monday’s lecture; or
• Has barely edited in the ten years since they started teaching that lecture

I’m bracing for some angry emails from teachers about this statement. So I’ll caveat it by saying some teachers did those two things above.

Secondly, citing your teacher’s recent publications is cringe-worthy. Personally, I can’t stand it when my students reference my papers. Most teachers at respectable universities have written several academic papers and book chapters. When a student references my papers in their essays, I cringe. It feels a lot like the student is sucking up to me. It feels like they’re trying to buy marks through a sleazy complement.

There’s one time when you should cite your teacher: That’s when they actually assign their work as a test for you to read. I personally don’t do it because it feels like a teacher is blatantly self-promoting, or worse, self-admiring.

But, I get it. Sometimes a teacher wants their students to learn exactly the content in the exact way they wrote about it in a textbook or academic paper. Sometimes it is genuinely the most accurate and readable source to assign a student.

If the teacher has assigned the text that they wrote as a set reading, I would suggest that you go ahead and cite it as a key essay source. Otherwise, steer clear of referencing your teacher’s publications or lecture slides.

7. Information Blogs that Pose as Authoritative Websites

This is the most common one on the whole list.

In every field there’s a series of well-designed, engaging, and informative websites that every student reads:

• In Psychology it’s Simplypsychology.org;
• In Education it’s Learningtheories.com;
• In Literature studies, it’s Sparknotes.

Sparknotes, you got me through high school English. You marvelous, glorious, intelligent website.

Relegate Sparknotes, simplypsychology.org, and any other informative, excellent websites to the ‘Great source, can’t cite’ pile. Just like so many of the sources on this list, it’s great to read, but not great to cite. Sorry friends, you gotta go to Google Scholar and get journal articles and textbooks or you won’t be moving to the top of the class any time soon.

Have a brainstorm – what’s that great website that you go to in your field as a cheat sheet?

Can you Think of a Site Like this in Your Field? If you can think of any more websites like this that I haven’t mentioned, please tell me in the comments at the end of this page and I’ll add it to this list.

Here’s some advice: treat all these great topic-specific websites like Wikipedia. Read them. Often. Use them to develop a strong foundational understanding of the topic. But remember: they’re only websites. They’re blogs. Some person – probably very intelligent and accurate – has written that. Yet it hasn’t met the rigorous standards of academic peer review. No one’s checked to make sure they’re right. It could, for all you know, be someone with an opinion and an agenda.

That website – the one that’s informative and engaging and got you through your first year of university – is just like Wikipedia. Mine it for information, then go to Google Scholar and get an actual textbook or journal article to cite in your paper.

If you cite that website as an essay source, you’ll lose marks. Sorry.

If you’ve referenced some of these essay sources before and are looking at this page thinking about how far you’ve come, well done!

Before I leave you, as usual, a quick recap of your essay sources you should never cite in an academic paper:

7 Bad Essay Sources to Avoid | Essay Guidance

• Google Books
• Essay Sharing Websites
• Online Quotes
• Your Teacher
• Information Websites that aren’t News Sources

If you’re new to the university and are guilty of having used these essay sources recently, it’s time to stop! Each and every one of these essay sources will lose you marks instantly and you’ll never make it to the top of the class.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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Management Program: Good vs. Bad Sources

• Off-Campus Access
• Evaluating Resources
• Good vs. Bad Sources
• Database Hints
• My EBSCO Account
• Using References
• Find Library Sources Using OneSearch
• Census Research
• Interlibrary Loan

Unacceptable Sources

Some types of resources are NOT acceptable to cite in your research papers. These include:

• consultant sites
• online encyclopedias (eg. Wikipedia)
• general online dictionaries
• local newspapers

As with most things, there can be exceptions to the rules. For example, it might be acceptable to use subject specific dictionaries for term definitions. Also, newspaper articles from reputable publications such as the New York Times or Washington Post might be acceptable sources depending on your topic, but articles from local newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle or Marshall Independent are not.

If you are ever unsure whether or not something is an acceptable source, ask your professor or a librarian.

Types of Journals and Periodicals

This chart provides descriptions of various types of periodicals and journals. For graduate research, you'll want to focus primarily on scholarly/peer-reviewed articles. Being able to recognize alternate forms of articles is an important aspect of the research process.

Types of Publications

Adapted with permission from G. Gradowski, who kindly provided an update of the chart from Gradowski, G., Snavely, L., & Dempsey, P. (1998) Designs for active learning: A sourcebook of classroom strategies for information education . Chicago: ACRL.

As you search in the databases, you'll see that some of them bring back results by article type, or they will give you the option to sort by article type. This can be a huge time-saver. If you can eliminate articles that won't be acceptable for your assignments, use the tools to do that.

• << Previous: Evaluating Resources
• Next: Databases >>
• Last Updated: Jun 4, 2024 8:18 AM
• URL: https://libguides.smsu.edu/management

10 Best Online Academic Research Tools and Resources

Every college student conducts research at some point. And professors have strong views on what counts as a credible academic resource. Choosing the wrong sources can hurt your grade.

So how can you conduct research efficiently while avoiding sleepless nights in the campus library? Online academic research tools make it easier to find reliable sources quickly.

Rather than pulling random facts from the internet — and running into problems with citations — college students need to know how to find credible sources and how to use online academic tools. Keep reading to learn how you can find the best credible sources for your college research needs.

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The 10 Best Academic Research Sources

What resources will point you toward reliable sources for your academic research? Rather than scrolling through pages of search results, turn to these academic resources when you need to find sources.

1. Google Scholar

Looking for an academic article, thesis , or abstract? Google Scholar should be your first stop. Google Scholar helps you find related works, locate full documents at your school library , and access scholarly research.

While Google created Google Scholar, it’s very different from a general online search. Google Scholar brings together academic articles and ranks them based on the authors, publication location, and citation record. That means the top results generally represent the most reliable scholarship on your topic.

For journal articles, books, images, and even primary sources, JSTOR ranks among the best online resources for academic research. JSTOR’s collection spans 75 disciplines, with strengths in the humanities and social sciences . The academic research database includes complete runs of over 2,800 journals.

And if you’re looking for images, turn to Artstor , which offers over 2.5 million images related to the arts, sciences, and literature. However, JSTOR is not an open-access database. That means you’ll need to log in through your university library, which typically includes off-campus access .

3. Library of Congress

As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress is an amazing online resource for academic research. Students can search its collections to access digital resources, videos, audio recordings, photographs, and maps.

The library’s materials also include notated music, web archives, legislation, and 3D objects. You’ll find materials for almost any topic in its extensive collections. You can search historic American newspapers from 1777-1963 with the Chronicling America tool or look up pirate trials in another digital collection.

4. PubMed Central

The National Library of Medicine, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, runs PubMed Central. Founded in 2000, the database includes academic scholarship dating back to the 18th century. The resource connects college students with life sciences and biomedical academic sources.

And as an open-access database, PubMed Central offers free access to scholarly literature. Today, PubMed Central has over 7 million full-text records, making it a great resource for students in the life sciences or medical fields.

5. Google Books

Whether you’re looking for a recent publication or an out-of-print book, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on Google Books. In 2019, Google announced that Google Books contains over 40 million books .

You can enter any search term to find books that contain matches. And you can download the full text of any book in the public domain — which includes 10 million titles. Make sure to check publisher and author information when using Google Books.

The site also includes reference pages that link to book reviews. Keep in mind that you’ll have more limited access to recent books. Still, Google Books is a great first step to find sources that you can later look for at your campus library.

6. Science.gov

If you’re looking for scientific research, Science.gov is a great option. The site provides full-text documents, scientific data, and other resources from federally funded research.

A U.S. government site, Science.gov searches more than 60 databases and 2,200 scientific websites. You’ll find over 200 million pages of research and development information, including projects funded by 14 federal agencies. Students in any STEM field can benefit from the resource.

7. Digital Commons Network

University librarians curate the Digital Commons Network, which connects students with peer-reviewed articles. The site’s other resources include dissertations, book chapters, conference proceedings, and working papers.

The Digital Commons Network includes scholarly work from diverse disciplines like architecture, business, education, law, and the sciences. You can also access humanities, social sciences, and engineering scholarship through the network.

8. ResearchGate

ResearchGate has been described as social networking for research scientists. But ResearchGate is also a great option to find open-access academic sources. Scholars upload their work to ResearchGate, which makes it available to the public for free.

Currently, over 20 million researchers around the world use the site, which contains over 135 million publications. College students looking for scientific research can often find resources on ResearchGate and even connect with scholars.

9. WorldCat

When you’re looking for library resources, WorldCat is one of the best tools. Connected to over 10,000 libraries, WorldCat is a database that allows you to search library collections.

The database lists books and articles available at your local libraries, making it easier to find materials that are not available online. In addition to books, WorldCat contains music, videos, audiobooks, and scholarly articles.

You can also find digital research materials, including photos. When you’re logged into WorldCat through your university library, you can also access full-text articles and other resources. Or you can use WorldCat to find sources to request through interlibrary loan.

10. Your University Library

When you’re conducting academic research, your university library can be one of your best resources. In addition to online databases, journal articles, and books, your campus library also has academic librarians who can point you to the best sources.

When you don’t know where to start, reach out to an academic librarian to learn more about your school’s research tools. Or use interlibrary loan to get a scanned copy of an article. Many of the campus library’s resources are available online, making them easy to access.

How to Find Credible Sources for Research

How can you find credible sources for research and avoid misinformation? Your instructor likely recommends avoiding general web content or Wikipedia.

Finding the most reliable websites for research starts with evaluating the website itself. Sites run by academic or government organizations rank high in reliability. Databases and specialized search engines can also provide good research sources.

Next, make sure you understand the source of the information and the process used to publish it. Scholarly articles and books that undergo peer review make for the best academic resources.

Finally, when in doubt, check with your instructor or an academic librarian. They can help point you to reliable sources or double-check sources you’re unsure about.

How to Access Academic Resources

Many sites offer open-access resources. That means anyone can access the materials. Other sites restrict what you can read. For example, you might find some blank pages when searching on Google Books because of copyright restrictions. And many academic articles are behind paywalls.

Fortunately, college students benefit from one of the best resources for conducting research: the university library. Your library likely subscribes to multiple academic databases and journals. If you run into a paywall, check whether your library offers access to the resource.

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Research essays: evaluating online sources for academic papers.

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As anyone who’s ever put off a term paper will tell you,  good research takes time .  If you are writing an academic paper, start in a library database , looking for  peer-reviewed academic sources . It is a risky temptation to start with Google instead.

Start With Good Academic Sources

If your college instructor has asked you to write a research paper, Google is not your friend.

 An Internet Search Engine Will Show You…

• newspaper or magazine articles (written by professional writers who are not experts in the subject matter, such as brain surgery or international politics),
• commercial or activist web pages (written by people who are trying to sell you a thing or an idea, and have no interest in giving you a balaced and accurate overview of a complex issue),
• instructional web pages (such as this one) or student projects (neither of which have been approved by the  peer review process )
• spoof web pages that are posted by pranksters; or creative works that imitate scholarly websites
• some perfectly acceptable scholarly sources (though most will be locked behind paywalls; your library pays for access to these materials, so you won’t have to).

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Don’t trust everything you read online.

See the creative hoax “ History of a Victorian Era Robot ,” which looks more professional than my own page on “ Rossum’s Universal Robots .” My page states (correctly) that the word “robot” didn’t even exist until decades after the Victorian era ended. The page about the victorian robot is a wonderful work of creative storytelling, supplying a backstory for a comic book series, but it has been used by students who mistake it for fact.

See also this article on  prankster Joey Skaggs , an artist who makes a career out of tricking gullible journalists.

A Free Search Engine Won’t Emphasize…

• meticulously-researched articles,
• written by full-time researchers (who spend several months on each article, while a journalist may have to write several different stories each day),
• screened by an academic journal’s panel of experts, and
• published as a service to the academic community.

Having said that,  scholar.google.com  is a specialty page that gives prominence to resources that look like academic articles. (The site is not perfect — some projects that students wrote for my undergraduate classes get high prominence in scholar.google.com, but that doesn’t mean they are peer-reviewed academic sources.)

Finding Academic Articles

The best place to start is by talking to the human being working the reference desk at your local library. If it’s currently two AM and your paper is due tomorrow, you may still be able to find some sources online, but you have to start in a library database, not a commercial one like Google or FindArticles.com.

• Finding Academic Articles  with EbscoHost (one of many library databases)
• Difference Between Academic Articles and Magazines

Beginning Your Research

Find a recent academic article that seems at least somewhat related to your topic. For example, if you want to write about pioneer women of Wisconsin, you might find a review of a recent scholarly book on the pioneer tradition of America

• Plunder the “Works Cited” page.  Even if the article itself is of little use to you, it may point you towards books or other articles that will be more valuable. (If there is no list of works cited, then you aren’t reading an academic source.)
• Scan books on related topics.  You will probably not find a whole book that examines the specific set of questions I am asking here. You may have to look at chapter or sections of different books, and piece together your own argument.
• Walk to that section of the library  that has books on your topic, and look on the shelf for similar books. books. Open each book up and  scan the table of contents at first; if you’re looking for something in particular,  scan the index . If a book looks promising, set it aside; otherwise, put it back and keep looking

The Value of Scholarly Sources

Anything that takes time is valuable to someone.  And things that are valuable generally cost money; that’s why  you won’t usually find the best articles through free search engines .  Does this mean you will have to pay to find good sources?  Not directly… your university or public library probably subscribes to dozens or hundreds of databases, all of which are free to their patrons.  And a growing number of journals publish their full contents online, in order to reach a wider audience. But a site like www.findarticles.com will emphasize the sites that want to sell their content to you.

Nearly any library database will include some way for you to limit your searches to “peer-reviewed,” “scholarly” or “juried” sources. But some periodicals include editorials, letters to the editor, and opinion columns; further, some periodicals that identify themselves as peer-reviewed are not necessarily scholarly.

For instance, a search for “Scholarly (Peer Reviewed” Journals” in the “Academic Search Elite” regularly turns up articles from a periodical titled,  The Humanist: A Magazine of Critical Inquiry and Social Concern .  The word “magazine” in the title should be enough to make a researcher suspicious.  Further, the authors of these articles write like magazine authors — they don’t fully cite their sources (giving the page number where they got each fact; instead the author will call up an expert on the phone and print what he or she says), and magazine articles don’t include a scholarly reference list.

The authors of articles in  The Humanist  do not appear to be scholars, but rather political activists.  There is of course nothing wrong with referring to a political opinion in an academic paper, but on the website for The Humanist you will find the following statements: “The Humanist is a non-profit magazine of opinion. The Humanist has a distinctive slant and therefore does not publish all viewpoints” (“ Submission Guidelines for The Humanist “).  Student researchers who do not distinguish between opinion and fact in their sources will probably have a hard time separating them in their own writing, so I do not recommend  The Humanist  as a source of complete, unbiased information for use in freshman research papers.

Note: It’s perfectly permissible for an academic paper to cite non-scholarly sources.  For instance, if you wanted to argue that Selena Gomez is a commercial product designed to appeal to the anxieties of preteen girls, you would probably be expected to quote song lyrics, analyze social media posts in which preteen girls talk about Gomez, and refer to a news report that described a recent Gomez project.  But such a paper — which refers to song lyrics, girls’ social media posts, and a journalists reporting — wouldn’t be a researched academic essay, unless it was also grounded in recent research published by scholarly experts on such subjects as mass marketing, child psychology, popular culture, and gender studies.

This checklist will help you determine whether a source you find online is scholarly.  This checklist won’t cover every possible situation, but it will offer some clear criteria that you can use to judge your sources for yourself.

Academic Research on Current Events

Finding academic articles devoted to emerging issues or cutting-edge technology may be difficult.  While you may find dozens of newspaper reports and a good handful of magazine articles, you may not be able to find a peer-reviewed academic article devoted to your topic.

Find academic articles on related or historical topics, and fill in the gaps by citing the non-scholarly sources.

You might find it hard to locate academic sources that examine current events, or the latest developments in computer technology or Internet culture.  If so, you can quote from older studies of related topics, and connect the dots . Point out where the conclusions of those earlier researchers did or did not predict the issues that emerge when you examine the new technology.

The the Internet will probably serve up dozens or hundreds of news reports, magazine articles, and corporate public relations materials surrounding a current event or an emerging technology.  But everything that happens in the world is the result of a complex network of causes and effects.  We can learn quite a bit about the current war in Afghanistan by examining scholarly analyses of the years that the Soviet Union spent fighting (and ultimately losing) under very similar conditions.

While you might never find a whole article devoted to the specific issue you wish to cover, you can still find peer-reviewed academic sources that will give you a solid historical, cultural, scientific, or global background.

• Where else in the world, and when else in history, has a similar thing happened before ?
• How does the situation you wish to examine compare to those other instances?

If you want to write on a current event or the latest technology, you will likely find that Google will point you to lots of social media posts, blog entries, and news articles; however, when you go to look up the same event in a database of scholarly database, if you find anything at all, it will seem out of date and possibly irrelevant.

When Google shows you a list of dozens or hundreds of short, easy-to-read articles on your topic, why does your instructor want you to focus instead on the dry and out-of-date scholarly work?

When you start any subject, you have to do a lot of memorizing. This bone has this name, this author wrote this poem, this composer lived in this country.

Academic research, at the higher levels, is not about looking up the right answer as quickly as possible. Instead, scholarship — including your own scholarly work — is about generating brand new knowledge . And doing that kind of work takes time.

Because good scholarship takes time, the most thoughtful, most insightful, most comprehensive reactions to any current event are rarely the first ones published. Looking up your topic in a library database (making sure you tick the box to limit your searches to  peer-reviewed journals ) will help you scour a body of work that experts have already decided is among the most rigorous available.

For instance, when I first drafted the page you are reading now, in September of 2001, bloggers and journalists were writing opinions and analyses about the terrorism incidents that had occurred in America earlier that month. Some of what appeared at that early stage was useful and informative, and some of it was completely wrong (including fears that more jetliner attacks would cause further deaths, or that viruses or radiation bombs would be released in the cities) — but we didn’t know that at the time. Those early emotional and speculative responses did not rely on verifiable measurement or the ability to see patterns that only emerged over time. Those early responses — readily available through Google — weren’t academic scholarship.

A scholarly book may take a year or two to write, and another three months to be edited, printed, and distributed to booksellers.

Articles have a faster cycle; many academic journals publish issues two or three times per year, but the articles in each issue probably took their authors a year or more to take their idea from conception to publication.

Does this mean current events are off-limits as the topics of student papers? Far from it. For current events, journalism is often the only source of information, so it’s perfectly acceptable to use it. But there are different levels of journalism.

• An article published in PC Gamer is not as credible as an article published in The Washington Post.
• An TV interview with a senator is not as credible as a direct quotation from a bill the senator is trying to pass.
• A passage quoted in a review of a book is not as credible as the same passage quoted from the book itself.

Using Your Materials

Avoid summary.   If you don’t have a clear thesis, you will be tempted to fill up lines, either by making random observations or by quoting long passages from your source texts.

Are you falling into a pattern of spending a paragraph on each outside source, and then  starting a new paragraph to introduce a new source ?  If so, you are probably summarizing other arguments, instead of developing your own. ( Integrate brief quotations in academic papers .)

Documenting Evidence

Back up your claims by quoting reputable sources.

If you write, “Recent research shows that…” or “Many authors believe…”, you are  making a claim . You will have to back it up with authoritative evidence. This means that the body of your paper must include references to the specific page numbers where you got your outside information. (If your document doesn’t have page numbers, you can give a section title or you can count the number of paragraphs.)

Avoid using words like “always” or “never,” since all it takes is a single example to the contrary to disprove your claim. Likewise, be careful with words of causation and proof.

For example, consider the claim that “television causes violence in kids.”

• The evidence might be that  kids who commit crimes typically watch more television  than kids who don’t.
• But maybe the reason kids watch more television is that they’ve  dropped out of school , and are  unsupervised at home .
• An unsupervised kid who doesn’t watch much television might still commit more crimes than a supervised kid who doesn’t watch much television.
• If you really do have evidence like that described above, then claiming that television causes crime  confuses correation with causation .

To Cite… or not to Cite?

You do not need to cite  common facts or observations  such as “a circle has 360 degrees” or “8-tracks and vinyl records are out of date,” but you would need to  cite specific claims  such as “circles have religious and philosophical significance in many cultures” or “the sales of 8-track tapes never approached those of vinyl records.”

5 thoughts on “ Research Essays: Evaluating Online Sources for Academic Papers ”

To make a perfect research essay you have to follow few steps: 1) do research and make notes, 2) choose the thesis, 3) plan your work, 4) write the essay and proofread it. In addition, on any stage of preparing your essay, I would recommend asking for help from colleagues, professors or from professionals from writing services.

An excellent guide from the Milton Library at Johns Hopkins University.

Hello Professor Rossi, My name is Adoracion Benton. I am a DSPS student I read some of our first day assignments. It might takes me a little time. I am going to try very hard to keep up with all the work I need to get done. I didn’t know which book we need until I log in to canvas this morning 7:30, as it did not say in the schedule. I went to the book store !0:30 but I don’t know what title we should start to read and what pages. I would Appreciate all your help. I will keep you inform. Thank you very much. Please call me (Dory) for short

Adoracion, I suggest you contact your professor directly, through Canvas. Your prof probably has no reason to check this page for messages from students.

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