3-Sources and Information Needs

After reading the sections of this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Which sources best help you learn background information? Which source is least helpful and why?
  • What kinds of publications are required by most disciplines (with the exception of the arts) to answer your research question and convince your audience?
  • What kinds of sources should you use to describe the situation around your research topic and make your question important to your audience?
  • What kinds of sources should you use to report what others have said?
  • How can your understanding of source categories help you locate sources to  meet your information needs?

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Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research Copyright © 2015, 2020 by Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.