English Composition 101: Research and Citation - Finding Sources Library Databases JSTOR ProQuest EBSCO Google Scholar Primary vs. Secondary PeerReviewed Journals Books Government Documents Websites Interviews Surveys

Study Guide: Finding Sources

What It Is

Finding sources is the process of locating and evaluating information to support your writing. For example, if you're writing a research paper on the impact of climate change, you might search for articles in academic journals like JSTOR or ProQuest. This matters because credible sources help you build a strong argument and demonstrate your expertise in the subject. In academic and professional writing, using reliable sources is essential for establishing credibility and trust with your audience.

Core Principles

• Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Primary sources are original materials, such as interviews, surveys, or government documents, while secondary sources are analyses or interpretations of primary sources, like articles or books.
• Peer-Reviewed Journals: Journals that have been reviewed by experts in the field before publication, ensuring the quality and credibility of the research.
• Google Scholar: A search engine that indexes scholarly literature across many disciplines and sources, including articles, theses, and books.
• MLA vs. APA Style: Use MLA (Modern Language Association) for humanities and literature, and APA (American Psychological Association) for social sciences and education.
• Citation Rules: Always cite sources in the correct format, including author's name, title, publication date, and page numbers.
• Database Search: Use keywords, Boolean operators, and filters to narrow down search results in databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, or EBSCO.
• Book Sources: Evaluate books for credibility by checking the author's credentials, publication date, and reviews.
• Government Documents: Use government websites, reports, and data to support your argument, but verify the accuracy of the information.
• Website Evaluation: Assess websites for credibility by checking the author's credentials, publication date, and reviews.
• Interviews and Surveys: Use primary sources like interviews and surveys to gather original data, but ensure they are conducted fairly and transparently.
• Source Evaluation: Critically evaluate sources for bias, accuracy, and relevance to your argument.
• Note-Taking: Organize and record source information using a consistent system, such as a citation manager or a note-taking app.
• Source Integration: Effectively incorporate sources into your writing by paraphrasing, summarizing, or quoting them.
• Citation Management: Use tools like Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley to manage and format citations.

Common Writing Errors

• Error: "The internet says..."
• Why it fails: This sentence lacks credibility and authority.
• Correction: "According to a study published in the Journal of Online Research, '..."
• Error: "I read it on a website..."
• Why it fails: This sentence lacks transparency and accountability.
• Correction: "A recent article on the website of the National Science Foundation states, '..."
• Error: "All sources say the same thing..."
• Why it fails: This sentence oversimplifies the complexity of the issue.
• Correction: "While some sources agree on the importance of climate change, others argue about the causes and solutions..."

Quick Application

1. Scenario: You are arguing that college tuition should be free. Write a thesis statement. Model Answer: "While some argue that free college tuition would lead to increased government spending, I believe that making college tuition free would be a worthwhile investment in the future of our nation, as it would increase access to education and reduce student debt." Explanation: This thesis statement clearly states the claim and provides a roadmap for the argument.
2. Scenario: You are writing a research paper on the impact of social media on mental health. Find a credible source to support your argument. Model Answer: "According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, 'adolescents who spent more time on social media were more likely to experience depression and anxiety' (Hertz et al., 2017)." Explanation: This source is credible because it is a peer-reviewed journal article, and the citation provides the necessary information for further research.
3. Scenario: You are writing a persuasive essay on the importance of recycling. Use a primary source to support your argument. Model Answer: "A recent survey conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency found that '75% of Americans believe that recycling is important for the environment' (EPA, 2020)." Explanation: This primary source provides original data that supports the argument, and the citation provides the necessary information for further research.

Last-Minute Revision

• Use active voice: Instead of saying "The study was conducted by the researchers," say "The researchers conducted the study."
• Use transition words: Use words like "however," "in addition," and "nevertheless" to connect ideas between sentences.
• Use punctuation correctly: Use commas to separate items in a list, and semicolons to separate independent clauses.
• Use citation details: Always include the author's name, title, publication date, and page numbers in your citations.
• Use a consistent citation style: Use either MLA or APA style consistently throughout your paper.
• Use a clear and concise writing style: Avoid using jargon or overly complex language that may confuse your audience.
• Use headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to organize your paper and make it easier to read.
• Use a conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis statement in the conclusion.
• Use a reference list: Include a list of sources cited in your paper at the end.
• Use a Works Cited page: Include a list of sources cited in your paper at the end, formatted according to MLA or APA style.