| Category of Sources |
Library Web Page With Links to recommended sources |
"Free" Search Engine or Site | How to use as evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try These First [to understand your topic] |
Try these first Encyclopedias in many subjects CQ Researcher- Reports on "hot issues" in society Opposing Viewpoints in Context - Essays and articles for current events See also Newspaper Sources below |
Google searches work here but I would try
Also try the resources in the FACTS |
These sources provide newspaper editorials, scholarly encyclopedias, and research topic overviews. These databases will lead you to sources that you will use as shown in the sections below. |
| Facts [to fill in the details] Encyclopedias Biography sources Almanacs Gazetteers Maps Dictionaries |
Online Reference Shelf Research Guide "Scholarly" Encyclopedias |
Search engine that searches multiple quick The World Factbook (CIA)—for basic |
"The Oxford English Dictionary defines…" "The World Factbook, indicates the poverty rate for…" "According to the United Nations, the treaty |
| Current News and Events Newspapers Periodicals and Magazines |
Newspapers and News Sources Use: Access World News Periodicals and Magazines ProQuest (multiple databases) articles from a wide variety of magazines, trade/business magazines and more |
Use Google News or other favorite search engine or news aggregator ProPublica—Journalism in the Public Interest" |
"Editorials in the Kansas City Star argue…" A recent "Letter to the Editor" show readers…" "The New York Times reported…" Refer to a specific (wellknown and credible) reporter— "Judith Miller reported …" |
| Statistical Sources and Public Opinion Polls [to provide evidence to persuade] Census/ Population Surveys/Estimates/ Projections Statistical Abstracts Annual Reports Statistics required by Congress and Executive Branch and other government agencies (oversight) |
Statistics: includes access to a Web site of the Statistical Office of the Public Opinion Polls: includes access to a recommended list of polls databases |
Cross searches statistical reports and data Know these agencies: European Union |
"The 2000 Census data shows…" "The Department of Education data on school violence reveals…." "Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has shown that …" "A recent Gallup poll shows that… are for/against…" |
| Government Agency Sources and Reports [to provide an government policy point-of-view] Regulations Reports Statistics (see above) |
Government Research Guide Covers U.S., Pennsylvania government resources available from the Libraries. |
Search engine for .gov websites only: Add site:.gov to your Google search |
"The National Institutes of Health report on…" "The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations on media ownership…" |
| Congress Sources [to provide testimony, debate and speeches as part of the lawmaking process] Debate and Speeches in Congress Testimony before committees |
CRS (Congressional Research Service) The Library of Congress "Thomas" GPO Access database of core primary congressional sources |
The Congressional Research Service Report…. |
|
| Policy and International Organization Sources (.org)— Includes organizations and professional associations that may seek to influence public policy or opinion |
PolicyFile – search engine to policy |
Use Google RAND Corporation. Drug Policy European Union official website: |
"The American Medical Association argues…" "The National Organization for Women reports …" |
| Research and Scholarly Journal Sources Every discipline has a research database that can be used to locate relevant research Economics=EconLit |
Databases by Title (A-Z list): Recommend these databases for searching across many disciplines |
Google Scholar Web portal: Consumer/Health Information
|
"Research by the National Institutes of Health…" "Research conducted at Harvard University shows…" "Research findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2006 ..." |
| International Organizations United Nations European Union OECD |
United Nations Research Guide European Union International Statistics & Data |
"Research by the World Health Organization..." "Data provided by the European Union provides evidence…" "The European Union has developed a Master Plan to address the challenges in each of its member countries…" |
