Finding Sources Activity
In this activity, you will select a text related to your research area of interest to map the
complexities of the issue. The text that you choose should be a broader overview of the issues
surrounding your topic. This text should help you not only provide a more thorough background
and understanding of the complexities surrounding your topic, but also guide further source
selection as you continue your research.
Complete the following steps to select your text:
Step 1:
EITHER
a. Search Rutgers Libraries for Sources
1. Go to the Rutgers Libraries website: https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/
2. Type your topic, question, or relevant key terms into the search bar
3. Before you search, select the following options in the left-hand column:
Under “Limit to”: Available online and Open access (peer reviewed journal
articles are not required or recommended at this stage)
Under “Resource type”: Newspaper articles, Journals, Book chapters,
Reports, Newspapers
Under “Creation Date” choose from 2010ish to the present
AND/OR
b. Search an online journal/news websites for sources: The Atlantic, New-York
Magazine, The Guardian, CNN, The New York Times
Step 2: Review and Evaluate Source Options
Click on titles that are most relevant to your area of interest. As you review sources (you’ll need
three for this assignment), consult the following checklist to be sure your sources fit that
criteria:
Provides a historical overview on your topic and includes multiple perspectives, related
issues, and arguments (addresses the complexities of your topic)
Includes sources and quotations by experts or relevant first-hand accounts if personal
written and reviewed by experts (scholars, professionals, .gov, .org, newspaper)
sources cited, and you are able to locate them to verify they meet criteria
was published in the past 10 or so years or, if earlier, represents a foundational text on
topic
Step 3: List Your Top 3 Sources
List the three sources that you have determined meet the above criteria. Include their full
citations and a short description of why you like the article.
UPLOAD: If there is a link, include it! If you have a PDF of these sources, upload it with this
assignment.
Source 1:
Source 2:
Source 3:
