Types of information sources

Different sources will answer different kinds of questions.

Examples

• Brief factual information: use encyclopedias, almanacs, guides, directories, and company Web sites.
• Current events: use newspapers, general interest magazines (print or in databases) and reliable websites.
• Historical events: use old newspapers and other periodicals (print or microfilm) for then-current perspective.
• Scholarly analysis and research: use scholarly journals (print or electronic) and subject-specific databases.
• In-depth, comprehensive background and history: use books and scholarly journals (print or in databases).

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