Develop with Derby: Finding and Evaluating Sources of Information

Although news sources are not always considered to be an academic and reliable source that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them. They can provide valuable insights and perspectives to the topic you are researching. In Humanities, for example, historical newspapers are an important primary source. So whether news sources are good for your coursework depends on what your question and topic is.

News sources can be useful for:

• Current topics
  Up to date, recent accounts of events as they happen and develop.
   
• Historical research
  Understand what life was like in a particular time and track changing political, economic and social trends.
   
• Content analysis
  Examine how reporting of key events varies across different newspaper publications.
   
• Communication Tool
  Research news sources as a form of communication e.g. history of journalism.

Newspapers, one of the most common forms of news sources, generally fall into two different categories: broadsheets and tabloids. There are key differences between the two groups and knowing them will help you decide which to use.

Broadsheets

• Articles tend to be longer and feature in depth reporting with additional background detail, analysis and opinion.
• Focus on national and international news
• Celebrity coverage is minimal
• Uses more complex and formal language in articles. 
• Examples include: The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent and The Times

Tabloids 

• Articles tend to be shorter, less in depth and use emotive, slang and sensationalist language
• Significant coverage of celebrity gossip and scandal.
• Often factually inaccurate 
• Include lots of photographs and adverts
• Examples include: The Daily Mail, The Express, The Mirror and The Sun

However it is important to remember that newspapers are written for profit and even the more 'quality' broadsheets will have a political affiliation and this may bias their interpretation of events.  Tabloids and broadsheets are also are aimed at the general public and are not considered to be an academic source like journal articles.. 

Therefore always verify information you read in a newspaper article in a more reputable and academic source.  

Fake news, although not a new phenomenon, has become more prevalent due to the increase of social media platforms. Although you might be aware of the term, it can be difficult to know what to look for and how to tell if the news source you are reading is reliable. The following infographic can be used to help you spot fake news.

IFLA (2021) How to spot fake news. Available at: https://www.ifla.org/publications/node/11174 (Accessed: 02 August 2022)

Your school or college library will often have a selection of print newspapers that you can use, so it is a good idea to check there first. Another option is to visit your local public library.

Online news sites

There are also many online news sites, including UK newspapers, that you can use. However, be aware that some news sites will only allow you to access a limited number of articles before requiring a subscription.

If you are an FE student studying at our Buxton and Leek College you will have access to Gale OneFile: News, an online newspaper database covering over 2,000 regional, national and international newspapers.  Click here to access (please note: you will need your Buxton and Leek student username and password to use this resource).