The Reserach Process: Choosing the Right Sources OWH Library at Phillips Academy Andover

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The Research Process:
Choosing the Right Sources

With the proliferation of information available today is important to critically think about which sources you consult as you make your way through the research process. It can be confusing to know if newspaper articles, books, journal articles or the internet would satisfy your information needs. In most cases it will be necessary to consult a vartiety of sources.

Steps in the Research Process

Get Organized!
Gather information
Use the Information
Take time to Reflect

Source Type	When to use	How to access
Newspapers	Any subject of interest, current and local information	Print: Search the OWL Catalog, NY Times Index Electronic: InfoTrac, Gender Watch, Ethnic NewsWatch See OWHL periodical collection
Magazines	Popular topics, current affairs	Print: Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature, see Use of indexes Electronic: InfoTrac see OWHL periodical collection
Journals	Scholarly examination of subject, specialists in field, many are peer reviewed	InfoTrac, America History and Life see OWHL periodical collection
General Collection Books	Any subject of interest, extensive treatment of topic Contains leisure reading collection	OWL catalog
Reference Books	Overview of topic, facts, statistics, terms, definitions, maps	Print: OWL catalog (reference books are located in Garver Room) Electronic: Database list from Homepage
World Wide Web	Any subject, varies in quality and reliability. Always evaluate what you access.	Use search engines Use Web Sites by Subject for curriculum links