SOURCES OF INFORMATION WHEN RESEARCHING A TOPIC
Researching about a given topic can be a daunting task especially when
you have zero knowledge as to where to get every bit of information
you need.
There are various ways and means to obtain needed information
including the use of print-based materials like newspapers and
magazines or through electronic sources like websites and online
databases.
Generally, sources of information may be classified as primary,
secondary, and tertiary sources. It is essential to understand these
classifications and identify which one is appropriate for your research
topic.
Primary Sources
Primary sources of information include firsthand accounts, raw data,
and other original materials on which another research is based. This
means that primary sources are authentic materials and have not been
subjected to evaluation or assessment.
This classification includes original works like poems, diaries, court
records, interviews, surveys, and original research and research
published in scholarly and/or academic journals.
Secondary Sources
Sources of information are classified as secondary sources when they
describe, interpret, or analyze primary sources. These are often
information written or presented by authors who did not personally
witness an event or occurrence.
Common examples of secondary sources include materials like
textbooks, magazine articles, book reviews, commentaries, and
almanacs.
Tertiary Sources
Sources of information are considered tertiary sources when they are
used to organize and locate primary and secondary sources. This
classification includes indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, directories, and
databases.
It is also important to understand that definitions of each source type
may vary from one context to another.
Likewise, it is essential to take note of certain guideposts when using
information gathered for activities like researching a topic, among
others.
Remember that information should always be accurate, reliable, up-to-
date, consistent, relevant, and unique.
What is research?
Research is systematic investigation into and study of materials and
sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. (Oxford English
Dictionary)
Here are some research steps:
Step 1: Identify and develop your topic
Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research
assignment. Since this is the very first step in writing a paper, it is vital
that it be done correctly. Here are some tips for selecting a topic:
✓ The research for and writing of a paper will be more enjoyable if you
are writing about something that you find interesting.
✓ Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of
information.
Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question.
For example, if you are interested in finding out about the epidemic of
COVID 19, you might pose the question "What are the causes of this Step 6: Write your paper
epidemic?" By posing your subject as a question you can more easily
identify the main concepts or keywords to be used in your research. ✓ Begin by organizing the information you have collected.

Step 2: Do a preliminary search for information Step 7: Cite your sources properly

✓ Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to ✓ Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.
determine whether there is enough information out there for your
✓ Failure to cite your sources properly is plagiarism. Plagiarism is
needs and to set the context of your research.
avoidable!
Step 3: Locate materials
Step 8: Proofread
✓ There are sources of information that can be used to support the topic
✓ The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have
you are researching. These can be:
created. Read through the text and check for any errors in spelling,
• newspapers grammar, and punctuation. Make sure the sources you used are cited
• websites using the search engines like Google, yahoo, etc. properly. Make sure
• videos
• images the message that you want to get across to the reader has been
• podcast (an episodic series of spoken word digital audio files that a thoroughly stated.
user can download to a personal device for easy listening)

Step 4: Evaluate your sources (Basic Steps in the Research Process - NHCC.edu., 2017)

✓ Make sure that your sources of information are credible, truthful,

and reliable. References:

This step is especially important when using Internet resources, many of Grade 7 English Quarter 2 Module 5
Division of Zamboanga
which are regarded as less than reliable.
Step 5: Make notes PIVOT 4A CALABARZON English G7
Region 4A
✓ Be sure to document all the sources you consult, even if you there is a
chance you may not use that particular source. The author, title,
publisher, URL, and other information will be needed later when
creating a bibliography.