Finding the Best Sources

It will be important for the students to find appropriate resources for their topics.  Their own specific topics will help to determine and dictate the sources they will need.  Current events related papers will require up-to-date information.  Primary and secondary sources are both valuable.  Some resources are more valuable and and reliable.

Imagine an inverted pyramid with the most excellent sources at the top and less authoritative ones at the bottom.  As the students compile their materials, they should carefully select good pieces.

Below is a list in descending order, from best to not-as-good, of types of resources:

Scholarly Books

Biographies

Scholarly Articles

Sponsored web site

Interview

Experiment, Test, Observation

Trade Book

Encyclopedia

Popular Magazine

Newspaper

Listserv Posting

Individual web site

Usenet news group posting

Internet chat conversation

The internet supplies both valuable and "sketchy" information.  Here's a checklist for determining the validity of a website:
1.  The site name will reveal a serious and scholarly emphasis.
2.  The sponsor should be an institution or professional organization.
3.  The home page will reveal the nature and purpose of the site.
4.  Author/Sponsor credentials will confirm the serious nature of the site.
5.  Links to other scholarly sites, not commercial sites, will reflect the serious nature of the site.
6.  E-mail to an author or organization offers a means for a scholarly conversation.