Source Types are standardized containers of information. For example, a newspaper is a type of source which contains news stories. A dictionary is a type of source which contains definitions. Asking questions related to your topic will often help direct you to source types and eventually specific sources for your papers and other assignments - knowing source types common for your field or topic is often one of your first steps in research and makes the process much easier! To learn more about understanding assignment requirements, watch our video tutorial for tips on reading your assignment.
Define your topic: Topics are broad themes you identify at the beginning of research. They are often not specific enough to fuel an entire paper or assignment, so you'll likely need to establish some research questions to narrow the scope of your project.
Research question/s: Asking questions can help you focus your topic by identifying specific issues or problems you want to explore further. Useful research questions tend to be:
Source Type: Take a look at the common source types and where you can find them below. Alternatively, consult the "Questions to Sources" list for questions and source types related to the study of theology. Remember that source types are likely places of information - basic information about a topic may be found in a scholarly article in the introduction, but it will be more reliably found in an encyclopedia or dictionary.
Specific Source: Once you've identified your source type/s, you can begin searching for sources. If you have questions about the topic to source process or where/how to find sources, contact the reference librarian at reference@annamaria.edu
Website - Websites are online locations of content, and vary greatly in origin and quality. Websites can be great places to find information about organizations or groups, just be sure you choose reliable sites and consider the source of information. Personal websites are generally published immediately and without being formally edited or reviewed. Websites of larger organizations may have their content edited by more than one person, but in general not as extensively as traditionally published formats like books and articles. Tip: the domain for a website can tell you about where the information is coming from (.gov is a U.S. government website, .edu is an educational institution, .org is a non-profit, .com is a commercial site, etc.)
Encyclopedia/Dictionary - Dictionary or encyclopedia entries are often a great place to begin when learning about a new topic or establishing foundational knowledge for a project, as they provide basic, factual information and introduce you to key topics and other relevant information. Entries are often short and to the point, and do not typically go into much depth or complexity. If you’re in a specific field, for example psychology or theology, look for encyclopedias and dictionaries which cover those subjects.
Book/Book Chapter - Books are a great way to get in-depth information on a topic, as they are usually long and well researched. Rather than reading the whole book, it’s often more effective to focus on a chapter or two that is specifically relevant to your research topic.
Scholarly Article - These are research articles written by experts who work in and study a specific field. Some of these articles have also undergone peer-review, which means that other experts read the article and suggest changes that should be made before it was published. These articles usually look at a topic in-depth, feature original research, and may include an argument for a specific interpretation, course of action, or treatment.
Newspaper Article - Newspaper articles are great sources for current events, as they provide up-to-date information on a topic. For older topics, newspapers can provide insight into what was going on and what people were discussing when an event occurred.
Asking questions is an essential part of the research process. Here are some common research questions you may have about a topic in your theology class which can help direct you to sources:
“Where is that in the Bible?”
“How is this verse presented in different translations of the Bible?”
“What does this Bible verse mean?”
“What does the Church teach about this?”
”What are theologians saying about this topic in academic circles?”
“What are other theologians and other Catholic writers saying about this topic in conversation with the general public, especially about current events and issues?”
“What does this word mean in Catholic theological usage?”
“What is the history of this Catholic movement or society?”
For help finding research for an assignment, make an appointment with the Reference & Instruction Librarian. These appointments are held in the Mondor-Eagen Library or remotely over Zoom.
To set up an appointment, visit the Reference Calendly page to see the librarian's availability, select an appointment time, and let us know more about your research needs:
You can also email the librarian directly with specific questions and concerns: