Different types of resources play different roles when researching a topic. Generally, books provide more in-depth examinations of subjects while articles provide very current information. Media such as educational films and documentaries often provide different perspectives, and often include things like interviews with experts and researchers. The Nicolet College Library offers the following for checkout, with much more available electronically:
Please don't hesitate to ask the library staff for help finding, using, or evaluating any type of information source. We want to help you find what you need to be successful!
Your question is not an interruption to our work, it IS our work!
Virtually all college papers or projects require credible sources to support your point of view or provide background information. Remember, your paper is only as credible as your sources!
Thorough research with credible sources will:
One purpose of academic writing is that students expand their worldview. Writing about your opinions, beliefs, or something you “just know” without providing sources to support your stance is not usually sufficient.
Non-fiction material is based in fact and usually supported with research, evidence, and/or observation. Non-fiction sources are generally preferred in a research paper. News, scholarly articles, biography, history, art, religion, cooking, and more are examples of non-fiction sources. In the Nicolet College Library, a call number beginning with anything other than P is non-fiction.
Fiction material is created from imagination, and usually consists of invented characters, plot/story, conflict, and resolution. Typically, fictional sources with proper citation should only be used for limited purposes, such as to illustrate a point or as a source of inspiration.
A close examination of a fictional resource (or elements/aspects within it) may be the topic of a paper, especially in literature or humanities-type studies. Typically, your conclusions or arguments should also be supported by non-fiction sources.
Mysteries, romances, fantasy, scifi, plays, most graphic novels and feature films, and more are examples of fiction sources. In the Nicolet College Library, call numbers beginning with P are fiction, except for language studies, literary criticism and author biographies.
Some non-fiction topics are not generally considered valid by the scientific community at this point in time. These may be interesting for personal study but are likely not appropriate for a research project. Examples include:
Talk to your instructor first before going any further in the research process if you are considering a topic like any of these.
Consider all of the following criteria (CRAP):
Determine the publisher and its reputation in academics. Corporate publishers have a vetting process prior to publication that gives some assurance of scholarly credibility, but self-published sources typically lack that process. For websites, see the “websites” tab for a table of extensions and the associated level of reliability.
Determine the author’s credentials, if they have demonstrated expertise, their reputation in the field, and/or their affiliation with a reputable research institution such as a university or hospital, or government agency. For websites, look for an "about us" page, contact information, and an indication of the mission of the organization. Be extremely skeptical of any source if you can’t determine the author. What does the URL end with? (.gov, .org, .edu, .com?)
Examine the word choices and imagery used in the source. Indicators of informational sources include:
Follow this link to learn more about the qualities of good sources.
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