A Guide on Searching for Credible Sources
Identify:
In my previous white papers, I was given articles to support my thesis. However, this time around, we have been tasked with choosing a topic in our field to discuss and we have to find articles ourselves. Because of this, this last white paper is proving difficult. Even difficult, it is not impossible. This how-to for finding articles was made known to me by Professor Miller at my college, and by my years of finding articles myself.
Explain:
The process of finding articles that are reliable can be difficult, but in order to write credibly, you must use credible sources.
Make sure, before you start to research, that your topic is specific and not general. When you write, you want to draw in your reader with specific knowledge, not just general concepts. For example, instead of researching the impact of sports on children, you can research the effects of playing team sports in the mental development of young girls. Specifying in writing is vital.
When searching articles for a topic you’re trying to write about, start general research. This research allows you to broaden your knowledge about the subject you’re writing about as well as gain information to find credible sources.
Look for keywords, words that seem to come up again and again in your research. Use the keyword bank to look deeper into your chosen topic. After you have taken a deeper look into your topic, start choosing articles based on some of the questions below. This process is long and difficult, but it produces incredible results.
Questions:
Ask these questions about your article before selecting them to site in your papers.
Who wrote this article?
What are this author’s credentials? Does this author have the background to be writing about this topic?
When was this article published?
Who published/sponsored by? Are they credible?
Is this a credible source, or is it just popular?
These questions are just a small sampling of questions you should be asking yourself about your articles. You do not want to spend countless hours perfecting your article only to be discontinued due to poor choosing of the supporting articles.
Be specific, research, and choose wisely.
