The document provides an overview of different types of research sources such as encyclopedias, books, journal articles, newspaper articles, and magazine articles. It also discusses how to evaluate websites and search tools like the library catalog, periodical databases, and citation generators that can help locate and cite these different source types. Key differences are outlined between scholarly and popular sources as well as magazines and scholarly journals.

1. Research Sources &
Techniques
By Gina Singh

2. Research Sources
ENCYCLOPEDIAS SEARCH TOOL:
Provide short entries/articles for an LIBRARY CATALOG
overview of the topic and its main
ideas .
SEARCH TOOL:
PERIODICAL BOOKS
DATABASE Give more information for an in-depth
exploration of one or more aspects of
the topic.
(Example: Case study books, textbooks)
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Lengthy scholarly research studies on an
extremely focused aspect of a subject.

3. Research Sources
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Very brief news reports that focus on SEARCH TOOL:
current events or topics currently in the PERIODICAL
news. DATABASE
MAGAZINE ARTICLES
As short as encyclopedia articles, but
instead of an overview, magazines narrow
the focus to one or two specific aspects of
a topic.

4. Types of Resources
 Scholarly Sources
 It has abstract in the beginning
 It may have a list of keyword
 Article has a research problem
 Mentions studies that have addressed the problem in the past
 Has a purpose statement
 Has research question and hypothesis
 Uses qualitative, quantitative or mixed method approach to conduct research
 Has a conclusion at the end
 Has a bibliography or reference list at the end
 Popular Sources: Magazine articles like Style, Newsweek, Time etc.
 Newspaper sources: LA Times, Whittier Daily News etc.
 Primary Sources: Original writings created at the time when the event occurred.
 Secondary Sources: Sources that evaluate, summarize, analyze written by
experts from that field after the event has occurred.
Source:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/sections/history/resources/pubs/usin
gprimarysources/index.cfm

5. Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals
Magazines Scholarly Journals
 Audience: Experts in the field,
 Audience: Large group of students
people  Lengthy, technical language
 Brief, non-technical language  Author are experts in the field &
 Author is journalist or credentials are always listed
freelance writer  Peer-reviewed
 Look: Graphics, images,  Look: Graphs, charts, statistical
advertising data, plain cover
 No references  References at the end
 Examples: Cosmopolitan,  Examples: Child Development,
Newsweek, Sports Illustrated Social Science Quarterly, Journal
etc. of Applied Psychology etc.

6. Start Research from the library
homepage
FIND BOOKS
FIND JOURNAL,
MAGAZINE, AND
NEWSPAPER
ARTICLES

7. Databases To Explore
• Gale Virtual Reference Library (For Background
Research)
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints
• SIRS
• CQ Researcher
• Proquest
• EBSCO : Click on EBSCO Web Portal
• Issues and Controversies

8. Access Rio for Off Campus
Database Use
Click on Library Tab

9. Gale Virtual Reference Library Database
for Background Research

10. For &
Against
Viewpoints
Issues & Controversies
Database
Gale Opposing
Viewpoints in
Context

11. CQ Researcher: For Current Issues

12. Checklist for Evaluating Websites
Author: Credentials & professional affiliations, contact address, about link
Check the URL (Uniform Resource Locator or website address) because it may be the name & type of
organization sponsoring the webpage. E.g. .edu, .com, .gov, .net etc.
Reason for webpage: Its purpose
Determine the origin of the document
Timeframe: Current or past view. What time period does your topic require?
Objectivity : Point of View or Bias
Bibliography: Citations and references to other sources
Coverage: Relevance to the assignment. Is the source too narrow? Too broad? Can you understand it?
Format, Organization, Appearance: Is it Easy to read?
Source: http://libguides.uwb.edu/content.php?pid=103537&sid=778496
Source: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/sections/history/resources/pubs/usingprimarysources/index.cfm#evaluating

13. Where To Search
For Books: Library Catalog http://library.riohondo.edu/
For Scholarly Articles: Databases: Proquest, EBSCO, Gale Reference Library.
•Off Campus Users: Access Rio
For Controversial Topics: Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context, CQ Researcher,
Issues and Controversies, SIRS
Check out Controversial Topics Books Link on the Library Homepage
http://library.riohondo.edu/
For Current Issues: CQ Researcher, EBSCO, Proquest, Gale Opposing
Viewpoints, Issues and Controversies
For Biographies: Gale Biography in Context
For Historical Books : Google Books at http://books.google.com/

14. Citation Help
In the Library:
•Books: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
•Handouts: Available at the reference desk & given during
orientation
Online:
•Son of Citation Machine
http://citationmachine.net/
•Easy Bib
http://www.easybib.com/
IMP: Always double check your citations with the
handbook or the handouts given to you in the
library. DONOT rely on online citation generators
for correct and accurate citations.