1. Research Sources &
Techniques
By Gina Singh

2. Research Sources
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Provide short entries/articles for an
overview of the topic and its main
ideas .
SEARCH TOOL:
PERIODICAL
DATABASE
SEARCH TOOL:
LIBRARY CATALOG
BOOKS
Give more information for an in-depth
exploration of one or more aspects of
the topic.
(Example: Case study books, textbooks)
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Lengthy scholarly research studies on an
extremely focused aspect of a subject.

3. Research Sources
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Very brief news reports that focus on
current events or topics currently in the
news.
MAGAZINE ARTICLES
As short as encyclopedia articles, but
instead of an overview, magazines narrow
the focus to one or two specific aspects of
a topic.
SEARCH TOOL:
PERIODICAL
DATABASE

4. Types of Resources
 Scholarly Sources

It has abstract in the beginning

It may have a list of keyword

Article has a research problem

Mentions studies that have addressed the problem in the past

Has a purpose statement

Has research question and hypothesis

Uses qualitative, quantitative or mixed method approach to conduct research

Has a conclusion at the end

Has a bibliography or reference list at the end

Popular Sources: Magazine articles like Style, Newsweek, Time etc.

Newspaper sources: LA Times, Whittier Daily News etc.

Primary Sources: Original writings created at the time when the event occurred.

Secondary Sources: Sources that evaluate, summarize, analyze written by
experts from that field after the event has occurred.
Source:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/sections/history/resources/pubs/usin
gprimarysources/index.cfm

5. Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals
Magazines
 Audience: Large group of
people
 Brief, non-technical language
 Author is journalist or
freelance writer
Scholarly Journals
 Audience: Experts in the
field, students
 Lengthy, technical language
 Author are experts in the field &
credentials are always listed
 Peer-reviewed
 Look:
Graphics, images, advertising
 Look: Graphs, charts, statistical
data, plain cover
 No references
 References at the end
 Examples:
Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, Sp
orts Illustrated etc.
 Examples: Child
Development, Social Science
Quarterly, Journal of Applied
Psychology etc.

6. Start Research from the library
homepage
FIND BOOKS
FIND JOURNAL,
MAGAZINE, AND
NEWSPAPER
ARTICLES

7. Databases To Explore
• Gale Virtual Reference Library (For Background
Research)
• CQ Researcher
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints
• SIRS
• Proquest
• EBSCO

8. Access Rio for Off Campus
Database Use
Click on Library Tab

9. Gale Virtual Reference Library Database
for Background Research

10. For &
Against
Viewpoints
SIRS
Gale Opposing
Viewpoints in
Context

11. CQ Researcher: For Current Issues

12. Checklist for Evaluating Websites
Author: Credentials & professional affiliations, contact address, about link
Check the URL (Uniform Resource Locator or website address) because it may be the name & type of
organization sponsoring the webpage. E.g. .edu, .com, .gov, .net etc.
Reason for webpage: Its purpose
Determine the origin of the document
Timeframe: Current or past view. What time period does your topic require?
Objectivity : Point of View or Bias
Bibliography: Citations and references to other sources
Coverage: Relevance to the assignment. Is the source too narrow? Too broad? Can you understand it?
Format, Organization, Appearance: Is it Easy to read?
Source: http://libguides.uwb.edu/content.php?pid=103537&sid=778496
Source: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/sections/history/resources/pubs/usingprimarysources/index.cfm#evaluating

13. Where To Search
For Books: Library Catalog http://library.riohondo.edu/
For Scholarly Articles: Databases: Proquest, EBSCO, Gale Reference Library.
•Off Campus Users: Access Rio
For Controversial Topics: Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context, CQ
Researcher, Issues and Controversies, SIRS
Check out Controversial Topics Books Link on the Library Homepage
http://library.riohondo.edu/
For Current Issues: CQ Researcher, EBSCO, Proquest, Gale Opposing
Viewpoints, Issues and Controversies
For Biographies: Gale Biography in Context
For Historical Books : Google Books at http://books.google.com/

14. Citation Help
In the Library:
•Books: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
•Handouts: Available at the reference desk & given during
orientation
Online:
•Son of Citation Machine
http://citationmachine.net/
•Easy Bib
http://www.easybib.com/
IMP: Always double check your citations with the
handbook or the handouts given to you in the
library. DONOT rely on online citation generators
for correct and accurate citations.