This document provides tips for finding credible sources for essays. It recommends searching libraries, online databases, and the internet for sources like books, journals, newspapers, interviews and more. Sources are categorized as either primary, being original sources, or secondary, being analyses of primary sources. When evaluating sources, consider factors like currency, reliability, authority, and purpose/point of view, as outlined in the C.R.A.P. test. Credible sources include scholarly books and journals from libraries and databases, while sources like personal blogs and commercial websites may be less reliable due to potential biases.

1. Finding Sources
FROM THE WRITING CENTER
@ THE A.R.C.

2. Finding Sources
When attempting to create an essay, sources are sometimes required in order to make the essay have
more integrity
Unfortunately, finding sources may not always be simple. These are a few tips on how you can find
credible sources.

3. Places To Search
There are countless places you could search for sources:
◦ Local library
◦ Intern
◦ Specialized online databases

4. Examples of Source Types
There are also numerous source types:
 Books, Reference Books,
 Magazines, Journals, Newspapers
 Interviews, Catalogs, etcetera

5. Hierarchy (Ranking)
of Sources
Primary Sources
 Primary sources are the original source.
 They can include first hand experiences and even interviews.
Secondary Sources
 Secondary sources are not the original source of information.
 They are generally analyses of the primary source, including historical documents

6. Resources to Consult When Conducting Research
Source It Provides Is it Useful Where it Can be Located
Scholarly Books Highly detailed with full
documentation
Highly useful Library, Google Scholar
Scholarly Journals Primarily researched by
scholars and scientists
with careful
documentation
Highly useful Library, databases
Newspapers Contains current events Good starting point Library, microfilm,
databases
Magazines Generally covers a wide
variety of topics
Can be useful if the
magazine is regarded as
serious
Libraries,
newsstands, databases

7. Resources to Consult When Conducting Research
Source It Provides Is it Useful Where it Can Be
Located
Encyclopedias Brief articles Good starting point Libraries, Internet
Wikipedia Open-sourceencyclopedia Generallynot accepted for
academic papers
www.Wikipedia.org
Special Collections Maps, paintings, and
articles
Highly useful for specific
projects
Libraries,museums,
Internet
Government/Academic
Sites
Vast amounts of compiled
data
Highly useful Internet sites ending in
.gov, .edu,.org
Commercial Web Sites Various subject
information
Canbe useful if avoiding
biases
Internet
Blogs Specializedtopic
discussions
Useful withother credible
sources
Internet
Personal Web Sites Unique information Rarelyused with varied
content
Internet

8. A Final Tip: The C. R. A. P. Test
Currency
 How recent is the information?
 How recently has the website
been updated?
 Is it current enough for your
topic?
Reliability
 What kind of information is included in the
resource?
 Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is it
balanced?
 Does the creator provide references or sources for
data or quotations?
Authority
 Who is the creator or author?
 What are the credentials?
 Who is the publisher or sponsor?
 Are they reputable?
 What is the publisher’s interest
(if any) in this information?
 Are there advertisements on the
website?
Purpose/Point of View
 Is this fact or opinion?
 Is the creator/author trying to
sell you something?
 Is it biased?