Select source types that are most appropriate for the information need.
For Example:
| Information Need | Source Types |
|---|---|
| Current information on political issues | Current Newspapers & Magazines |
| Background info in order to develop a question for a research project | Reference, Wikipedia, Topic Overview Videos (Crash Course) |
| Current research on solar and wind power | Academic Journals/Original Research & Government Websites/Docs |
| Information to help make an argument about the impact of U.S. westward expansion on indigenous people | Primary Sources from the time, Academic Journal Articles by historians, & Books on the topic |
Understand the Difference Between Academic and Popular Sources
Understand the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources
| Primary Source | Secondary Source |
|
DEFINITION: the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. |
DEFINITION: accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place. |
| EX: the "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr, | EX: an academic journal article analyzing King's speech. |
Select and brainstorm your keywords.
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State your research question/topic
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EXAMPLE: "How do cigarette companies target children with their advertising?"
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Identify main concepts:
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EXAMPLE: "How do cigarette companies target children with their advertising?"
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Brainstorm synonyms, related terms, broader terms, scientific/technical terms, and more specific terms based on your own background knowledge:
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EXAMPLE:
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Cigarette companies: Philip Morris, Camel, Imperial
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Children: child, adolescent, teen, teenager, students, youth
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Advertising: ads, marketing, commercials, promotions, product placement
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Avoid the following:
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Abbreviations - spell them out
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Relationship words - words like compare, contrast, causation, etc.
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Judgement words - words like best, worst, pro, con, etc.
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If needed, search Wikipedia and other reference sources to further develop your list of keywords.
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Create a keyword map before you begin searching.