Searching for information is easy but finding reliable, useful and relevant information can be more difficult!. Information can come from anywhere, the media, blogs, books, journal articles, newspapers and the internet, to name only a few.
You will need to search for good information sources when you come to learn about a subject or topic however, the type of information you will need can change depending on the assignment you are completing. For example, for one assignment you might need information about theoretical aspects of a subject whereas for another, it might be real world case studies you need. In the first instance, academic books would be a useful source to consult whereas for the second example, journals/company websites/professional magazines would be a good place to look.
So before you start your research on a topic, you need to think about what type of sources that you may need and once you decide that, where will you find them?
Information sources generally fall into three categories: primary, secondary and tertiary.
Have a look at the video below to find out more.
Once you have watched the video, why not take the quiz and test your knowledge of sources?
The Video below is a short introduction to explain what journals are and why they are important for your academic studies.