Finding Credible Sources Online

The dreaded research paper can leave many wondering where to go for information. With the Internet being so accessible, it might be tempting to type words into Google and use whatever comes up first. You may get lucky and get great sources, or you may get stuck with less credible sites that leave your professor wondering where you got such information. Learning how to evaluate sources for research paper writing is a key component to your research paper’s success. Here are five tips to help you as you gather your sources:

  • Start with a simple search. Search engines, such as Google or Yahoo!, are great places to start when you’re first reading up on the assigned writing topic.
  • Avoid Wikipedia. Print and digital encyclopedias, such as Encyclopedia Britannica and InfoPlease.com, are excellent sources from which to gather material. But be careful of sites such as Wikipedia that allow multiple users to edit. Wikipedia is a great jumping-off point in terms of figuring out what to search for, but double-check all of the facts by using credible sources of information.
  • Use online scholarly databases such as InfoTracLexisNexis, and EBSCO, which provide access to the latest research in hundreds of areas.
  • Newspapers and magazines are also rich sources of information about what is happening now. Consider browsing through the New York TimesTIME, and the Wall Street Journal.
  • Dont forget the library. Often this rich source of information is overlooked because students think it’s more convenient to look subjects up online. The problem with that is you miss out on accidentally stumbling upon a book or magazine that might just be the perfect source for your research paper.
  • NEXT: Finding Credible Sources Online Part 2 

63 thoughts on “Where to Find Credible Sources for Your Research Paper

  1. Olga says:

    Hello. I dont know how to write a research paper and conference abstract. what theme to choose and where find the sources….Thank you

    1. Kirstin says:

      SIRS Issues Researcher

    2. trequan says:

      love you

    3. Amaya says:

      I want to write a convenient essay about sources of information.can you give me a essay on that??

    4. Mike says:

      This is quite informative and concise. Thanks

  2. Writing academic essay says:

    Here is a cool citation generator: http://howtowritecitations.com It may help you with your academic citations and formatting. Good luck guys!

  3. Cynthia says:

    I am writing (trying to write) an essay on Celtic and Brittish Mythology and I can’t seem to find many credible sources. Do you have any suggestions? If not, thank you for your time! c:

    1. Michael Murray says:

      Jordan Maxwell

      1. Jenks Trojan says:

        Illuminati confirmed.

  4. Alex says:

    I am having trouble finding information on my research topic which is Noise Pollution. I can only use 2 sources from google or yahoo and news sites don’t count as a google or yahoo.

    1. I can not find credible sources for my research paper, the paper is HIPPA ON PRIVACY, and confidentiality for religious reasons

    2. Mwesigwa Ambrose says:

      Try Environmental Engineering

  5. Sergio Baca says:

    I plan on researching a paper on children’s vaccines, and whether they have any problems with the vials of medicine.

  6. Enokela says:

    I am writing on biblical worship, its true meaning, entailment¤ importance to the New Testament Church, but have not gotten good information on it.

  7. Cool Hanes Beefy T says:

    Hi mate. I seriously enjoy the particular post and also your website all in all! That piece of writing is incredibly plainly written and also simply understandable. Your current WP style is amazing as well! Would definitely be great to know where I can acquire it. Please keep up the great job. We all require more such website owners like you online and also much less spammers. Great mate!

  8. Laura says:

    For those teachers who try to resist the internet as a legitimate way to do research, they need to step into the 21st century. The internet has enabled students to do way more research than ever in way less time. Of course, this comes at a price of having to navigate through less-than-credible websites for something one could actually use. Some of the best tools for this can be found at credibleresearchsources.com and easybib.com, but still one must be able to identify these for themselves and use good judgement. The ways students do research should evolve quite a bit over the next few years.

  9. jam(jaymie) says:

    I think people should use a computer more often cause computers aren’t bad at all so people should just suck it up and use a computer cause THEY AREN’T BAD!!!!

  10. jaymie says:

    I really need information cause I’m writing a huge research paper and in need information to help its so dumb I need a work cited page and as of right now I have nothing to put on the work cited page so my grade in that class will drop from an A+ to a c maybe b- I cant do that I must get in to U.C. Davis and with a b- or c I cant so I have been looking for places with information or websites to help me find websites with information and this website really didn’t help me much but now I one step closer to get getting a work sited page and I’m going to keep trying hard to find websites with information so I can keep my A+ an A+ so I can go to Davis and have perfect grades!! I want to thank tis website for getting me one step closer!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

  11. bob says:

    cool info!

  12. Carol says:

    Thanks for the info

  13. samuel says:

    great really awesome.thanxx for being share with us.

  14. Essay Writing Services says:

    Superb

  15. vimal says:

    Hello….I need to do a research regarding social network issue…current issue…so how do I surf for a reliable website

    1. look up reliable websites

  16. Donna Bala says:

    Does anyone know who makes the decision that something is credible or not?

  17. Gwen Shaw says:

    I am trying to write a research paper on Meridian Health. Not many resources

  18. Ian Collins says:

    This really helped me find info on my research paper which is on Electrician.

  19. ElminaKenly says:

    I am really enjoying reading your well written articles. I think you spend numerous effort and time updating your blog.

  20. hmmmm says:

    hmmmm

  21. shaperial says:

    i need 3 sourses for medical assistant

  22. Kumar says:

    Useful info !

  23. Jay says:

    The secrettowriting.com is a good resource for essay construction.

  24. samantha says:

    hi can you give me an idea for my research topics that can be related to computer engineering please help me

  25. Adarsh says:

    You guys should check out J-Gate, they have a vast database of research journals. It helped me a lot to find good, credible sources.

  26. Akasi says:

    i’m doing a research on using writing in the air, sandtray and cut-out cupboard to improve writing of numerals 1-10 in kg

    ples help me find information on how the writing techniques have help other in the world and author, educationalist and other philosophy have said

    1. Loise says:

      Hi Akasi. If you ever need any help writing essays halla at w2kaw2ka at gmail

  27. Tammy VanSant says:

    Google scholar!

  28. dewfd says:

    I am trying to rate prevention an cure. Can help?

  29. jeff says:

    my name jeff

  30. justice says:

    I am writing a research paper ottoman empire

  31. Winter Blue says:

    how can you find the sources of a website? I’m doing a project and I can’t find sources of a website. I need the sources that the website got it from

  32. I Have No Name. says:

    Wikipedia is a good place to go to find sources, as there are usually links in the info that bring you to the original source.

  33. Hailee says:

    Thanks very helpful

  34. Dekotah Perez says:

    I am trying to write a paper on the vocational studies of general surgery and it has to be at least 15 paragraphs and more than ten sources but I can’t find any sources with useful information

  35. Dekotah Perez says:

    I am trying to write a paper on the vocational studies of general surgery and it has to be at least 15 paragraphs and more than ten sources but I can’t find any sources with useful information. Thank you so much for your time and help!

  36. Jane says:

    How to find resources for a research paper what does that mean?

    1. john the writer says:

      try googlescholar

  37. Zoe says:

    I am trying to find sources for my french assignment and i have to have 4 or more but i can’t seem to find more than 3.

  38. Angela Felix says:

    I am doing a research paper on Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. I am having trouble finding credible sources. My professors wants 15 peer-review journals and 5 credible sources. Someone please help me.

  39. Nooosssy says:

    Can you recommend sites about the percentage of reliable sources in internet? My teacher just asked me to find that for her or else I’ll sign a dropping form. That witch

  40. Emma says:

    I’m doing a research paper about a lost book of scientific illustrations.

  41. this web tots helps lol I love it lol it works wonders lol

  42. lol btw I tots love earth ( exept those haters am I right single ladies ) and also this source is really helpful ur ma gr

  43. zarah says:

    1. online
    2. textbook
    3. novel

  44. Autumn Winters says:

    Is BestLife a reputable source????

  45. sopia says:

    I need a reliable source about mussolini’s youth groups. help

  46. Ismene says:

    Helloo friends!I am searching information,datasources,databases for a market research report that I am writing for corporate e-learning market.Like,”how much enterprises are using e-learning platforms to train their employees in USA,EU and the rest of the world?” ,”Which are the emerging markets?”.PLEASE IF YOU KNOW SOME RELEVANT AND CURRENT DATA LET ME KNOW I’M IN A GREAT NEED !!!

  47. jamiyah says:

    What link on the school homepage would you click to find the place that provides resources for information and research? *

  48. Taja says:

    look info and more section

  49. Great! This guide is very impressive and educative. I can now find the best source of my research essay with much ease using this guide. Thanks very much for sharing this information.

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