Information can come from virtually anywhere — media, blogs, personal experiences, books,
journal and magazine articles, expert opinions, encyclopedias, and web pages — and the type of
information you need will change depending on the question you are trying to answer. Look at the
following sources of information. Notice the similarities between them.
Source: VirginiaTech Library ([Link]
Library
A place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts,
recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale.
(Source: [Link]
Indigenous Knowledge
Knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. IK contrasts with the international
knowledge system generated by universities, research institutions and private firms. (Warren 1991)
This would include as follows:
• local knowledge
• knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society
• owned, controlled, and managed by indigenous peoples in order for them to develop and
produce culturally appropriate information in the languages understood by the community
Characteristics of Indigenous Knowledge
• oral tradition of communication
• store information in memories
• information exchange is face to face
• information is contained within the border of the community
Books
Cover virtually any topic, fact or fiction Useful for the
complete background on an issue or an in-depth analysis of a
theory or person. Can take years to publish, so may not
always include the most current information
Reference Books
Include facts, figures, addresses, statistics,
definitions, dates, etc. Useful for finding factual or statistical
information or for a brief overview of a particular topic.
Examples: dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories
Newspapers (News Resource)
Provides very current information about events,
people, or places at the time they are published. Useful for
information on current events or to track the development
of a story as it unfolds. Examples: The New York Times,
manila bulletin, Philippine Star, Daily Inquirer
Magazines
Include articles on diverse topics of popular interest and current events. Articles typically written
by journalists or professional writers Geared toward the general public.
Examples: Time, Newsweek, National Geographic
Academic Journals
Include articles written by and for specialists/experts in a particular
field .Articles must go through a peer review process before they’re
accepted for publication. Articles tend to have a narrower focus and
more analysis of the topic than those in other types of publications.
Include cited references or footnotes at the end of research articles.
Examples: Journal of Communication, The Historian, Journal of the
American Medical Association
Internet
An electronic communications network that connects
computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the
world.
(Source: [Link] dictionary/Internet)
The Internet is by far the most popular source of information
and the preferred choice for news ahead of television, newspapers
and radio, according to a new poll in the United States.
(Source: [Link]
life/internet-most-popular-information-sourcepoll-
idUSTRE55G4XA20090617) Examples: [Link]. [Link])
Evaluating Information
by Eastern Kentucky University Libraries based on the work of Paul and Elder
