The Information Timeline

When to Use Which Kinds of Information

Information comes from many sources. What you need to know is which information source is best for the research that you are conducting. To help you figure it out, we present to you The Information Timeline. With this knowledge you will understand when and where information is produced and when it is best to use each source.

Below is a video and chart that will help you understand how knowing the information timeline will help you get the most out of your research process:

In college, we are often asked to use "scholarly" or "academic" resources for our papers and projects. Find the "academic/scholarly journals" in the "source" row below and take a look at what that column has to say about that source. Once you've done that, compare it to a different source in the table and note the differences in the:

• type of information
• author, audience
• locating tool
  

The sources above can be put into three categories:

• Popular
• Scholarly
• Professional

There is a good time and place to use each one, but which is best for your most current need? In the next section you will learn the difference between those three types of sources and when to use each one.

Citations & Attributions

Video source:  " The Information Timeline and Types of Sources Links to an external site." from theSeattle Central Community College Library Links to an external site.on You Tube Links to an external site..

Except where otherwise noted, the content in this module by San Diego Mesa College Library Links to an external site. is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0 Links to an external site.