LibGuides: Explore Information: Getting the Lay of the Land

Explore Information looks at some of the different types of information resources you will encounter while you're conducting college-level research. Some resources we look at will be familiar (like magazines & newspapers), and some of them will probably be new.

It's important to have some understanding of the process by which an information resource was created. Here's an example: Sometimes students are told that they are not allowed to use online resources for their projects. What happens when a student finds a book written by a respected scholar that is perfect for their topic - but! - the library is out of the physical copy? All they have is the e-book. What's the difference between the physical & the e-book? Understanding the underlying similarities - regardless of format - can help this hypothetical student recognize the usefulness of the book, and make the case to their instructor.

Having an understanding of some of the features of the information you encounter will help you to choose information to use in your project.

This guide will:

As you encounter information, you might find it useful to note some of the features of the information you're encountering. This can help you think about what information to choose for your project and help keep track of your research.

Research Log
This research log is a tool to help you throughout your project. Logging your research and making a general record of the sources you find will be very useful for you at this stage.

Quick things to consider

Things to consider when you're starting to look for information:

How was this information created? Was it fact-checked? Was there an editor? An interview with someone who witnessed an event?
What kind of project are you working on (research paper, short speech)? What kind of information do you need for that project?
Who is your audience? What kind of information do they value? (For example, college instructors often value peer-reviewed scholarly work.)
What kind of audience was the information created for? (e.g., general audience, experts in the subject, practicing professionals)
Don't discount an information source just because of its format - valuable information comes in many forms!

Format Types of Information

The format of information (or its delivery method) does not equate the process of its creation. For instance - something that is online-only may still have gone through a rigorous editorial & peer-review process. Dr. Oz has glossy-looking books - but they're probably not the most reputable, especially in a nursing class!

Here are just a few of the many different information formats to consider! When you encounter information, consider the process & purpose of creation.

Type	Information	Purpose	Examples
*Books*	The information can be general or scholarly and often covers a topic in depth. Scholarly books always include extensive references to works cited for enhanced credibility. Print or Digital formats	In depth information on a topic Historical background	Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic
*Academic Journals*	Contain articles written by scholars/experts in the field of study. Always include references to works cited for enhanced credibility. Print or Digital formats	Share information with other scholars on a particular aspect of a topic.	Nature Psychological Bulletin
*Magazines*	Contain articles written for a general audience on a variety of topics. Magazines may also be considered Trade publications with articles written for professionals in specific fields. Published regularly (weekly, monthly). Most do not contain references. Credible magazines should include sources. Print or Digital formats	Current information General information	Time National Geographic
*Newspapers*	Collection of articles written by journalists for the general public on any subject. Credible newspapers should include sources. Published daily. Print or Digital formats	Current information Local, National, World	New York Times Washington Post Hartford Courant
Government Documents	Information published by the national, state, or local government. Content can include text, visual (photographs, maps, film) and sound files. Print or Digital formats	To provide detailed information to inform citizens & government	Climate Change Indicators in the United States https://www.gpo.gov//
*Websites*	Online sources of text, video, images, audio formats.	Many purposes, from many different creators!	Google Arts and Culture https://artsandculture.google.com/
*Audio and Video*	Visual or sound recordings as DVDs, CDs, or digital files		NPR Codeswitch
*Interviews*	Information from experts or personal contacts	First hand experience	University of Connecticut, School of Nursing War Veteran Oral History Collection