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Information Sources

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Introduction

  • Information is available in multiple forms.
  • Sources differ in format, purpose, and reliability.
  • Understanding categories helps in efficient retrieval and evaluation.

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Information Sources

  • Documentary & Non-documentary Sources

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  • Published vs. Unpublished

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  • Print Vs Non print

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  • Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Source

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  • Macro vs. Micro Documents

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  • Conventional vs. Non-conventional

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Documentary Sources

  • Definition: Recorded information in physical or digital form.
  • Examples:
  • - Books
  • - Periodicals (journals, newspapers)
  • - Reports (technical, government)
  • - Theses & Dissertations
  • - Patents & Standards
  • - Archives & Manuscripts
  • - E-resources (databases, repositories)
  • Value: Permanent, verifiable, citable.

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Non-Documentary Sources

  • Not formally recorded.
  • Examples:
  • - Human Experts
  • - Organizations (Govt., NGOs, Research Institutes)
  • - Events (conferences, workshops)
  • - Oral traditions
  • - Direct observations
  • Value: Provide current, tacit, practical knowledge.

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Print vs Non-Print Sources

  • Print Sources:
  • - Books, Journals, Newspapers, Maps
  • Non-Print Sources:
  • - E-books, E-journals, Databases
  • - Audiovisuals (films, podcasts)
  • - Multimedia (VR, simulations)
  • - Microforms (microfiche, microfilm)

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Published vs Unpublished Sources

  • Published:
  • - Books, Journals, Government Publications
  • - Widely distributed, editorial review
  • Unpublished:
  • - Manuscripts, Theses, Personal letters
  • - Lab notebooks, Field notes, Preprints
  • - Limited circulation, less accessible

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Primary Sources

  • First hand, original information.
  • Examples:
  • - Research papers
  • - Technical reports
  • - Conference proceedings
  • - Patents, Standards
  • - Diaries, Official records, Artifacts

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Secondary Sources

  • Interpret or condense primary sources.
  • Examples:
  • - Indexes, Bibliographies
  • - Abstracting Journals
  • - Review articles
  • - Textbooks
  • - Encyclopaedias

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Tertiary Sources

  • Guide to primary & secondary sources.
  • Examples:

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  • - Bibliography of bibliographies
  • - Guides to literature
  • - Guide to reference sources

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Macro vs Micro Documents

  • Macro Documents:
  • - Comprehensive, broad coverage
  • - Examples: Encyclopaedias, Textbooks
  • Micro Documents:
  • - Narrow, specific, detailed
  • - Examples: Journal articles, Case studies

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Conventional vs Non-Conventional Sources

  • Conventional:
  • - Traditional, paper-based
  • - Books, Newspapers, Magazines
  • Non-Conventional:
  • - Digital/alternative formats
  • - E-books, Databases, Blogs, Multimedia content

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Conclusion

  • Each type of source has strengths & limitations.
  • Researchers must select sources based on purpose

 

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Evaluation of Information Sources

  • To confirm accuracy and credibility.
  • To ensure relevance to the research topic.
  • To build trustworthy and evidence-based arguments.

 

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CRAAP Test

  • Currency,
  • Relevance,
  • Authority,
  • Accuracy,
  • Purpose.