Everything you read on the internet is true, right? Well sadly, it’s not. Along with the wide array of knowledge at your fingertips are also false claims and fake news. But don’t allow that to put the brakes on your research. When you know how to get reliable resources, you will be able to point, evidence and explain your way to success.
Tips on How to Get Reliable Study Resources
As a student, you can’t avoid doing research. Whether it’s for an assignment, project or preparing for your exam. If that has you feeling stressed out, we are here to give you some peace of mind. Use our guidelines on how to get reliable study resources below:
From Your Lecturers and Tutors
Best place to get reliable resources? From your lecturers and tutors of course! Since they are the ones giving you your assignments, they will offer you study material closely related to your course.
At the Library
When doing research, people often run to the internet to do their research. But that’s not your only source of information. A library holds a world of published books and journals, waiting to give you the knowledge you need.
Online Resources
There are thousands of academic journals online, filled with research and peer reviews from top researchers. Search for your topic and you will be presented with journal articles closely related to what you need. To get you started, check out:
Government Websites
For study material like matric past exam papers or up-to-date information, have a look at sites like DHET. Here you will find information on legislation, reports, archives, and more.
Check out Newspapers
If your research is based on current events, get up to speed with newspaper reports. Keep in mind: Some of these articles are often biased, so don’t believe everything you read on the news.
Find Sources Within Your Resources
Still not sure where to look? Look within the current journals you are using. Do this by checking their bibliography. It will give you a list of credible sources they used to give evidence to their claim.
How do I Know if my Study Resources are Credible?
So you’ve got the resources you need. But how do you know they are credible? Clickbait articles and websites have evolved into looking like the most trustworthy sources around. There are key elements to look for when getting information you can depend on.
Compare the Facts
A good researcher knows that he cannot get all his information from one source. You have to look at a few journals and articles. If you’re not sure about a source, compare their claims. If it comes across as outlandish, steer clear.
Find out More About the Author
If you are well versed in your field, you will be familiar with who the authors and researchers are. If you haven’t heard from them, do some research. Their work will give you an idea of their credibility. Also, if you see other researchers citing their work, it’s good to use.
Dig Into Citations
Now that we’re on the topic of citing, this is one of the best ways to see if a resource is trustworthy. If it has no citation, links or evidence for their research, they are most likely baseless opinions.
The Source of Your Resources
Be mindful of where you get your resources. Was it a blog post full of pop up ads and no author? Or did you find it in your spam folder? Sources like the library and academic journal databases will prove to be your best bet.
Old News?
If you’re doing your Masters in English Literature, then the Golden Age will be your friend. However, if your focus is current events, it’s best to stick to current sources. They may be trustworthy, but you wouldn’t want your research to have outdated information.
Not Everyone is an Expert
Just because you read about the ice caps melting, doesn’t make you an expert on global warming. Researchers spend years trying to give you the facts. But now there are platforms where people make accusations that seem like the truth. These include:
- Social Media – There are many articles and pages on social media that claim to have trustworthy resources. But these are filled with opinions and no research.
- Comment Sections – Imagine an informative discussion on a web forum. Sounds great right? But in steps that internet troll with free time and wants to debunk researched facts. Even if it sounds good, be sure to do your own research.
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