Wrap-Up

In Summary

There are many types of sources, every source can be categorized in many ways, and there are pros/cons to every type.

Scholarly sources are more reliable than popular, but popular sources better express popular opinion at the time. Empirical research and peer-reviewed articles are two types of scholarly resources that are particularly trustworthy. The format and medium of the source should also be considered. Finally, depending on how you are using the source, you may consider it a primary, tertiary, or secondary source.

Understanding how sources can be categorized allows you to make informed decisions about what types of source should be used for your research topic. It also allows you to conform to any assignment instructions regarding source types.

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