How do I decide what resources to use?

Read the assignment

Does your instructor want you to use a certain number of resources?
Should these resources include a certain number of books, journal and magazine articles, and web sites?
Do you need to make photocopies of articles from magazines that we carry in the library?
Can you use general interest magazines or does your instructor want you to locate articles in scholarly (refereed) journals?
Does your instructor want you to locate specific types of information or resources such as book reviews, critical film reviews, editorials, biographies, or statistics?
Talk to your instructor if you have any questions.

Consider the currency of your topic

If you are working on an older issue, or an event that happened at least one year ago, you may find books on your topic. You may also locate articles in back issues of magazines, journals and newspapers.

If you are researching a very recent issue or event, you would need to rely more on recently published newspaper and magazine articles. It is unlikely that you would locate books specifically on your topic. You may, however, locate background information in books.

Example: You would not locate information on recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. in books. You would rely on newspapers and Internet news resources for incidents that took place within a week's time, and articles from news magazines for incidents that took place more than a week ago. You would then locate background information on the history of terrorism in the U.S. from books.

Consider the scope of your topic

Is your topic quite broad or is it very narrow and specific?

Type of Source	Use For
Books	General topics; in-depth treatment of broad topics
Magazine articles	News of specific events; editorials on specific issues; features on broader issues
Journal articles	Extremely in-depth examination of very specific topics
Newspaper articles	News of specific events; editorials on narrow topics
Web	Varies according to web site

Remember that if you cannot locate a book specifically on your topic, you may be able to locate a book on a more general topic.

Example: If you are looking for information on recent legislation regarding issues such as welfare, you may be able to locate background information on the history of welfare in this country in books. Use newspaper articles and magazine articles and news web sites to locate news and editorials on the legislation itself.

Bear in mind that you may not be able to locate articles specifically on your topic. You may have to draw on a variety of sources, including statistical resources, to make a case for your argument. Be prepared to spend extra time on your research. You may experience a little extra frustration. You will learn more, however, from your assignment.

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