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EMPOWER - Module 2 - Choosing Your Topic

What kinds of sources best support your Topic & Research Question?

 

Read Your Assignment Instructions!

Consider the Following:

 

Table detailing several factors to consider before you begin finding resources: What is the timeliness of your research? If you are unsure, please review the "Choosing Sources" graphic from Module One. Do you need to use Primary or Secondary sources? If you are unsure, please review the "Primary versus Secondary" section from Module One. Should you use Scholarly or Popular sources? If you are unsure, review the "Scholarly versus Popular Sources" video from Module One. What is your topic? If your answer is History or Literature, longer form sources like Books are often an appropriate choice. If your answer is Science or Business, up-to-date and shorter form sources like Periodicals are more appropriate. What is your final product? If your answer is an interactive format like Presentation, audio-visual sources like Videos are appropriate choices. If your answer is more formal like a Term Paper, formal and scholarly sources in written form are usually more appropriate. What is your audience? If your answer is Professors, scholarly sources are more appropriate. If your answer is Children, however, popular sources are more appropriate. What is the purpose of your research? If your answer is To Persuade, your sources may include subjective or opinion articles. If your answer is To Inform, objective and factual articles would be a more appropriate choice.

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