LibES.20 When and How to Use Sources

We've completed an in depth review of multiple types of sources. Let's do a quick recap of these different kinds of sources and when and why you would use them.

Social media sources

Credibility can vary widely. Not all social media sources are bad or “fake news”. Consider the author, message, and citations. Research the author as deeply as you can. You can cite social media posts in your research papers, and use them as an example of how your topic is being discussed online.

Academic sources

These sources are usually very credible but are harder to read. They often offer strong research and data. Use an article like this to inform yourself about the academic conversation around your topic.

 

Popular/Non-scholarly sources

These sources can still be credible and are easier to read than scientific articles. They typically offer a digestible review of your topic and are often more recent and updated than academic sources. Be careful to review where it was published and who the author is. 

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