Sources of Information for Research Paper

The sources of information for research paper can be divided into many different ways. You can divide it on the basis of where to find the information, how to find the information and what kind of information to seek. Here we will look at where to find the information for a research paper.

Finding information for your research paper will not be an overwhelming process if you know where to look for the particular information. Once you know where to find the information you need to organize it in a sequential order. You need to devise a strategy because there are a wide array of sources available to seek information. In other words, you have to be selective about the sources that are available for your research. Once you decide what sources to use and where you can find them you need to make a sequential pattern. Decide how you will go through each of the sources you have selected for your study.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources of information for research paper

Where

Print Resources

The print on paper resources are the most basic and most important sources of information for your research. Libraries contain a wide array of information from where you can begin your research. If you are not sure about how to find information in the library ask the librarian as nobody knows more about the resources in a library then the librarian. There are many types of print resources other than the books.

• Books are the most important source of information as we already discussed. Books contain information that is most authentic and well-researched source that you could rely upon. You can ask your research supervisor or your teacher how old a book you can use in your research.
• Encyclopedias contain a wide array of information as they contain information on various subjects in alphabetical order. Some very basic information about a subject can easily be obtained from an encyclopedia, like definitions, types, forms, and history of any subject.
• Bibliographies provide valuable insight on where to find information about your subject. Not sure what source will provide an information you can check the bibliographies and references section of your library. You might find an unexpected source from the bibliography section that you never imagined.
• Government publications are also an authentic source of information for your research. You can find statistical data about a subject matter in government records and a lot more information. The listings of the government publications is present in the libraries.
• Dictionaries, maps, and atlases also carry valuable information that you can find in any library.

Non-print resources

Non-print resources can be any type of media that you can find in your library or through other sources like internet.

• TV programs can be an important source of information especially in fields like history, geography, and media studies. Documentaries are valuable sources especially if you are sure about the authenticity of the narrative. TV programs and documentaries sometimes provide rare information that you may not be able to find anywhere else.
• Videos in the form of tapes or discs are also available and you can check them in the media section of your library.
• CDs, and audiotapes
• Lectures and speeches
• Interviews

Electronic resources

Today there is a wide range of electronic sources available for the research most of them are available online in the form of catalogs. Some of them are as follows:

• Online catalogs provide you the listings of all type of electronic resources. You can check online books, periodicals, journals and newspaper listings. All libraries today have an online catalog of all the resources that are available online. Though libraries provide bibliographic cards as well as most libraries all books and journals are available online so online catalogs have taken the place of regular catalogs in many ways.
• Internet websites are also valuable for research but you need to know the authenticity of the author and the content before you finalize that you can use this information in your research.

References

• Research Tips: Finding Background Information, https://research.lib.buffalo.edu/research-tips/findingbackgroundinformation, Retrieved on 2018/2/16
• Roth, A. J., The Research Paper: Process, Form, and Content, 8th Ed., Wadsworth Pub Co., 1999, Pp-58-61

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