5.3 Sourcing Credible Academic Materials
Where to Look
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Articles reviewed by experts in the field, such as:
- JSTOR, ScienceDirect, PubMed.
Academic Databases
Search tools for scholarly sources, such as:
- EBSCOhost, ProQuest, ERIC
Library Catalogs
Curated university-level resources, for example:
- WorldCat, college and university libraries
Government Reports
Primary data from public institutions, such as:
- census.gov, statcan.gc.ca
How to Check a Source
Always ask yourself the following questions:
- Who wrote it?
- What is the author’s background or credentials?
- Who published it (academic press vs. personal blog)?
- Is it cited in other works?
- Does it provide full references?
Remember: credible sources are traceable, contextual, and transparent.
Tip: When Using the Web
Use Google Scholar as a powerful bridge between academic content and the open web.
N.B.: Consult the Fanshawe College Library Learning Commons for additional support in finding credible resources, as well as assistance with researching and writing.
