RELIGIOUS STUDIES 377

Researching, Writing, and Thinking about Religion


UNIT 1
UNIT 2
UNIT 3
UNIT 4
UNIT DESCRIPTION
SELECTING YOUR SOURCES
WHAT ARE DATABASES?
ADVANCED KEYWORD SEARCHING
REFINING YOUR KEYWORD SEARCH
NATURAL LANGUAGE SEARCHING
SEARCH LIMITS
EVALUATING YOUR SOURCES
REFERENCE LIST


SELECTING YOUR SOURCES


Questions About Your Sources

Once you have developed your question you need to decide which types of sources are going to be most useful for you. Ask yourself:

  • How much research is needed?
    This will depend on the type of assignment. If it is an opinion piece, you may only need to read the source to which you must respond. However, if it is a larger research project, you will need much more.
  • How current do my sources need to be?
    Is your project historical research or an analysis of current events or theory?
  • Do I need more general information on aspects of my topic?
    Do you need more context for your topic?
  • Do I need public opinion, quantitative or qualitative research, statistics, or theory?
    What will best support your argument?
  • Do I need information on a particular person?
  • How many sources will I need?
    Make sure you end up with enough sources to support your argument and to cover a variety of material.
  • What types of sources will I need?
    Be sure to include a variety of sources, both primary and secondary.

Once you have answered these questions, use the chart below to identify which sources are most appropriate for your research.


Sources: When to Use Then & How to Find Them

SOURCE
WHEN TO USE IT
HOW TO FIND IT
Books Need thorough coverage
Does not have to be cutting edge research		 Library Catalogue
Bibliographies
Scholarly Journals Want the most up-to-date theories
Need focused coverage
Want original research 		Research Databases - ATLA Religion Database is often a good starting point
Bibliographies
Magazines Want public opinion
Recent news coverage 		Research Databases - CBCA (Canadian Business & Current Affairs) provides indexing to approximately 300 popular Canadian magazines
Newspapers Want public opinion
Want most recent news coverage 		Research Databases - Select from newspaper indexes in the article index list
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Need an overview of a topic
Need a definition 		Library Catalogue
See also list of Religious Studies Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
(Also a link in Course documents section of Blackboard)
Bibliographies Need to find other sources for research Library Catalogue
Ends of articles, encyclopedia entries & books
Web sites Need current statistics on an organization Search engines or directories
See Unit 4 for further information
Almanacs, Handbooks, Guides, Companions Factual information (charts, formulas, tables, statistical data & historical background) Library Catalogue
Reference collection - ask at the Reference Desk on 2 MLB for assistance
Biographies Need information on a particular person Library Catalogue
Reference Collection - Ask at the Reference Desk for assistance
Web databases through search engines or directories
Original Documents Need a contemporary account of the event Library Catalogue
Subject librarian - these sources are sometimes harder to find.
Make use of your librarians.


Review Quiz

If you were researching the debate on creationism, what sources would you use to find:

  • the responses of Darwin's contemporaries?
  • academic analysis of the debate?
  • background information on Darwin?
  • current popular debates on creationism?

Click here to take the quiz.

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