A researcher might utilize a variety of sources to back up his or her results in their research. They are divided into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Primary sources are the most trustworthy, while secondary sources are less trustworthy, and tertiary sources are the least trustworthy but can be utilized when primary and secondary sources are unavailable.

Scholarly and non-scholarly sources can be separated from printed materials. This categorization is only applicable to print sources, therefore it is critical to understand if the researcher employed a scholarly or non-scholarly source. Scholarly sources, as the name implies, classify printed materials as having complete referencing, a recognized author, and accurate publishing information. The other source, on the other hand, is a non-scholarly source that may or may not contain any of the aforementioned information. For instance, if you can't locate the author's name on an article on the internet, it's a non-scholarly source.

Read More: Topics For Undergraduates

Sources of Academic Information Sources that are not scholarly
The author is well-known for his books.

The author's identity is unknown.

Date, publication firm, country, and other details are included in the publication.
source unpublished

Complete in-chapter and end-of-chapter citations of sources

Sources are cited incorrectly or not at all.

Technical words and information may be included.

It uses basic language and material that is straightforward to learn and comprehend.

Researchers, students, and instructors in particular are targeted.

The majority of the content is aimed towards a broad readership.

The goal is to find information that is valid, reliable, and unique.

The goal is to reach out to a broad audience and capture as many individuals as possible.

The authors are academics, well-known writers, researchers, and experts in their fields. The author may or may not be a reporter or have experience in that subject.

The “American Journal of Psychology” is a good example.

“National Geographic Magazine” is a good example.

The author of the article is well-known.

Author(s) unknown

It was published in a prestigious journal.

There is no information about publication since it has not been published.

Provides a comprehensive list of all sources cited in the article.

There are no references supplied, such as an article published for a magazine or newspaper.
Although the internet has made research easier in many ways by giving an abundance of information on every topic, there is still a difficulty with using online sources. When you read something on the internet, the most basic issue is the validity of the sources. The majority of articles on the internet are designed to appeal to a broad readership and lack well-researched basis. As a result, it is inappropriate for use as a research paper or thesis source. When using online sources to get information, students should examine the author's identity and the references he has supplied for the article to determine the piece's credibility.

Start your research from your library rather than seeking for sources on the internet to ensure your research paper's trustworthiness, validity, and authenticity. It does not imply that all online sources are untrustworthy; rather, as a student, you will find it difficult to distinguish between trustworthy and untrustworthy ones. The internet is flooded with information on every subject, but not all sources are reliable. Your library's books and journals will supply you with reliable material that you may utilize in your research report.