Exploring Sources: Types of Sources
Types of Sources
At university, you will be expected to engage with and use a number of different types of sources. Having a sense of common source types and what is in them can help you choose what is appropriate for your needs.
You will likely already know a lot about some of the sources outlined in the infographic below. That is great! Your past experience with different types of sources will help develop your understanding of how to use those different source types throughout your time at UBC.
Take a moment to read through the infographic below. It outlines different types of sources, if they are available in print or online, and what they are.
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Types of Sources Infographic -
Source type: academic book
- Available in print. Available online. What is it? In-depth coverage of a topic usually including original research.
Source type: scholarly or academic journal
- Available in print, sometimes. Available online. What is it? A collection of articles on very specific topics written by and for other experts and researchers.
Source type: trade publication
- Available in print. Available online. What is it? Newspapers or magazines published specifically for professionals in a specialized field, discipline or industry.
Source type: magazine
- Available in print. Available online. What is it? A collection of articles, stories, pictures, or other features, written for a general audience.
Source type: news source
- Available in print. Available online. What is it? Up-to-date regional, national, or international information written for a general audience.
Source type: website
- Available online. What is it? A wide variety of information: can be informational, corporate, personal, scholarly. Proceed with caution – evaluate websites carefully!
Source type: video
- Available online. What is it? Wide variety of information: can be instructional, entertainment, news. Proceed with caution – evaluate videos carefully and look for sources.
Downloadable versions:
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Vocabulary:
- Academic book
- Journal article
- Magazine
- News source
- Scholarly journal
- Trade publication
Activity
(Need the worksheet? Here is a link to the Exploring Sources Worksheet Download Exploring Sources Worksheet)
On your worksheet, answer this question:
- What other types of sources do you use in your life that are not included here? Would you consider them appropriate for research?
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