Instructors often ask students to find “scholarly”, “academic”, or “peer reviewed” sources of information for their research. These terms all refer to the same type of information – sources based on in-depth research, and are considered higher in quality and more reliable for your research.
These sources can range from chapters within books or entire books, or journal articles, but all have common characteristics that can help you recognize that type of information.
There are three types of sources:
1) Primary Sources
2) Secondary Sources
3) Tertiary Sources
A database is an online collection of articles and information you can search by using a special interface. Databases often contain subject specific scholarly articles and resources. Listed below are databases that can help you find background information to support your fiction writing in areas including character development, plot, and setting.
For more databases, please visit the ULS's Databases A-Z list.
