Information can come from many places.  The type of information you need will change depending on your assignment and questions.  While gathering your resources, keep in mind how credible your sources are.  The most credible resources will come from Journal Articles, because they are reviewed by experts in the field before being published.  The least credible resources come from Internet pages, because anyone can purchase a website and post content without regard to quality, accuracy, or legitimacy.  The resources below are ranked from best to worst.

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

• Written by scholars or experts on the topic - they usually include the author’s name and credentials
• Provide critical analysis of topics
• Provide references such as footnotes or bibliographies
• Typically reviewed and critically evaluated by a board of experts

MAGAZINE ARTICLES:

• Typically written by journalists or staff of a magazine - they seldom include the writer’s credentials
• Provide a broad overview on a topic and do not discuss the topic in-depth
• Written for the general public
• Are not usually reviewed by experts

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:

• Typically written by journalists or the staff of a specific newspaper
• Provide articles about current events
• Are a good source of local information
• Can be found in print, microfiche, microfilm or the web

INTERNET:

• Educational or governmental sites (ending in .edu or .gov) can provide excellent and authoritative information
• Other sites may contain false and misleading information
• Should be checked for credibility
• Sites that provide links to magazine, journal, and newspaper articles tend to have more credible information