Checklist: Project 2 Source Types

Source Category: Academic/Scholarly Journal
These are long, in-depth investigations, written by professionals/experts in the subject. The purpose is to advance new knowledge in an academic field. They will usually contain a list of references or works cited. Information about the author will be included.
You must have the full text of the article. Abstracts do not count. At least one of these must be annotated
source type / located from / author / title / annotated?
1 / journal article / Academic ASAP
2 / journal article / Acad Search Premier
Source Category: Periodicals/Magazines
Informative articles written for a general audience. Special interest magazines focus on a particular subject; general interest magazines cover many different topics. The author may or may not be an expert in the field. There will be no list of references or works cited
You must have the full text of the article. Abstracts do not count. At least one of these must be annotated
source type / located from / author / title / annotated?
3 / general interest magazine / any database
4 / general interest magazine / online/internet
5 / special interest magazine
Source Category: Periodicals/Newspapers
Similar to magazines, with an emphasis on current events. National newspapers examine broad issues in society and politics. Local/regional/student newspapers generally focus on topics specific to a particular locale
You must have the full text of the article. Abstracts do not count. At least one of these must be annotated
source type / located from / author / title / annotated?
6 / NY Times article / Lexis/Nexis
7 / national newspape article
at least one of these must be annotated
8 / local/regional news article
9 / student newspaper article
Source Category: Qualified Web site
Provides information or links to resources not available or readily available elsewhere. Information about the author or sponsoring institution is clear. Author/sponsor is credible and authoritative.
Must be “internet-only” (i.e., not a periodical or journal). At least one of these must be annotated
10 / government agency website / .gov domain
11 / college or university website / .edu domain
12 / nonprofit organization site / .org domain
13 / commericial website / .com domain
Source Category: Nonqualified Website
Not scholarly or academic. Often exists to sell a product or promote a personal point of view.
Fails basic tests for authority, credibility, etc. Can be useful to illustrate or provide an example but not to support or “prove” a thesis.
must be annotated; in your annotation, explain why this is a good source to use in a research paper on your topic
14 / personal or for-profit website, fails quality test / .com domain
Additional Sources (any category)
Use these to fill out the 20-source requirement for project 2. Any source type is acceptable as long as it meets the “quality” tests
annotate as needed to fill out the 10-annotation requirement for project 2
15 / any of #1-13 above
16 / any of #1-13 above
17 / any of #1-13 above
18 / any of #1-13 above
19 / any of #1-13 above
20 / any of #1-13 above

source type: general interest magazine

what it is magazines that cover a broad range of topics for a general audience

where to find it: Academic Search Premier, Academic ASAP, company websites

examples: Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report

The Nation, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Harpers

note: popular magazines like People, Cosmopolitan, etc are not academic and are better not used in academic research, except as examples of popular culture, beliefs, attitudes, etc.

source type: special interest magazines

what it is magazines that focus on a particular subject area, profession, or career. May be written for practitioners in the field or for a general audience interested in the subject.

where to find it Academic Search Premier, Academic ASAP, subject-specific databases, company websites

examples: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Engineering News, Modern Dentistry

Scientific American, Psychology Today

Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Prevention

Forbes, Business Week, etc

source type: National newspapers

where to find it: Lexis/Nexis, company websites

examples: The New York Times

The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today