Finding Relevant Sources for Your Term Paper

With a relevant and contemporary topic in mind, you ready to begin the actual research for specific information that will be the basis for the term paper. First, preliminary research is recommended. The purpose of this is to make sure that there is ample material and substance to cover the topic for the length of the paper required or desired. Once this is established, the writer should begin with a “working bibliography”. From the beginning, the writer should construct bibliography cards that contain all of the information that is necessary for referencing and to find the material again if necessary. Some areas where sources might be obtained include:
1. The library catalog
2. An index to periodicals
3. The New York Times Index
4. NewsBank
5. A ready-made bibliography

During this process, it is important that you select sources carefully. There are various elements that must be considered. For example, the timeliness of the source, whether the source is written by an actual authority, a determination of whether the source is primary or secondary, and the audience of the writer that may provide valuable information regarding the writer’s true intentions or agenda. All of these factors contribute to determining if the source is useful and appropriate.

The actual note taking process will provided the information that will be the basis for the paper, ultimately. Note cards that will be of the most value will contain several pieces of data. These include the last name of the author in order to identify the source, information regarding where this piece of information may be utilized best in the paper, and information such as a fact, idea, or great quote for your paper. It is important to retain enough information that the note card is of use in making your bibliography and providing information for the term paper.

Material should be viewed critically. In fact, it is recommended that information that might be used in a paper should be reviewed a little sourly and suspiciously. Otherwise, the basis of the information used for the paper may be poor or inadequate. Too much such information may destroy the credibility of the writing for those with a more “critical eye.”