Research Tools and Techniques

Ask yourself these questions before you start your research:

• Do I know enough about my topic to choose meaningful search terms?
  • ​Reference books such as encyclopedias are useful sources for learning basics about a topic before starting your research.
• Does it matter how old your sources are?  
  • Should you use sources dating from the beginning of time to the present? 
  • Do you only want the most current information?
• How specific is your topic? 
  • ​Are you giving a broad overview of the topic?
  • Do you need in-depth research on the topic?
• Who counts as a credible writer on this topic?
  • Does the writer need to be an expert in the field?  What kind of credentials will prove that this person is an expert?
  • Is it okay for the writer to be a non-expert who cites his/her sources well?

Internet sites:

• Audience:  varies
• Reading level: varies

Strengths:

• Widely and easily available

• MAY be very current -- depends on the author

Weaknesses:

• No substantive content parameters.  Responsibility is on the reader to judge reliability, accuracy and timeliness of information.

• Content may be influenced by advertisers.

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Newspapers:

• Audience:  General Public

• Reading level:  Low to moderate

• Short articles, generally not very in-depth

Strengths:

• ​Very current

• Best source for local news and events

• Articles are fact-checked and edited (by other journalists)

Weaknesses:

• Quick publication deadlines may affect accuracy

• Content may be influenced by advertisers

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Popular magazines:

• ​Audience:  General Public

• Reading level:  Moderate to low

• Short to medium length articles

Strengths:

• Relatively widely available

• Often subscription rates are reasonably priced

• Easy to read

Weaknesses:

• Writers usually not subject experts

• Content may  be influenced by advertisers

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Trade publications:

• ​Audience:  Professionals in a specific field

• Reading level:  Medium

• Short to medium length articles

Strengths:

• May contain professional association or continuing education resources

• May contain job search resources

• Ads are usually limited to products and services within the field of interest.

Weaknesses:

• May be hard to access outside of an academic library or unless you buy your own subscription.

• Subscriptions may be expensive.

• Subject matter may be extremely technical or of limited interest to readers outside of that field.

Scholarly or Peer-reviewed publications:

• Audience:  Scholars and researchers in a specific subject area

• Always contain source citations

• Reading level:  High

• Long articles

Strengths:

• ​Reliable content.  Articles are written and edited by experts in the field

• In-depth examination of subject matter

• Readers can use article citations to identify other important researchers in the field

Weaknesses:

• May be hard to find outside of an academic library

• Expensive subscription price

• Writers often less concerned with readability than in other publication types

• Slower publication rate -- Usually quarterly or biannually

• Articles may require specialized knowledge to understand