| Popular | Scholarly | Reference |
| What is a popular source? | What is a scholarly source? | What is a reference source? |
| news, magazines, blogs/feeds | an article written by a professional in the field |
encyclopedia, dictionary, fact book, biographical |
| Examples: | Examples: | Examples: |
| NY Times & Rolling Stone, Reddit | Journal of American Dental Association | Wikipedia, Britannica, Credo |
| Best Library Resource | Best Library Resource | Best Library Resource |
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| Primary | Secondary | Tertiary |
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A primary source is the original item produced during that time. |
A secondary source is considered the commentary on an event, place, person or thing. |
A tertiary source is a reference source that includes background or basic information such as: who, what, where, when |
| Examples: | Examples: | Examples: |
Such as: The Declaration of Independence, a letter from Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her husband, a photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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(Note: Many of these are also considered secondary sources.) |
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BEST BETS:
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BEST BETS:
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BEST BETS:
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The following websites have been designed to provide assistance with properly citing information and formatting papers using APA guidelines. Please consult these for help developing citations.
One of the best resources for citation help, Purdue University's English department maintains this website and keeps it up to date with the latest changes in citation. In addition to comprehensive guides on the APA style, Purdue OWL also provides suggestions to help you conduct research and incorporate that research into your academic paper.
Helpful resources from The MLA Style Center-9th edition:
Purdue Online Writing Lab
One of the best resources for MLA citation help, Purdue University's English department maintains this website and keeps it up to date with the latest changes in citation. Purdue OWL also provides suggestions to help you conduct research and incorporate that research into your academic paper. Learn about 9th edition changes here.