Information is created for different purposes and audiences.
Source type & format matter!
Information Timeline
The chart below doesn't include all the different source types you will come across in your research, but it is a useful way to think about and assess if a source type works for your needs - and why.
Remember to ask: What kind of expertise did the author have? Has the information been reviewed by an independent and informed set of eyes?
(Click on image to enlarge)
Source: "Information Timeline" by QCCLibrary, educational use
After an event occurs, you can look to…
Social Media sources
- within minutes – here social media platforms “breaks” the story. Info may be incomplete, false, or biased.
- Examples: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Blogs, etc.
News sites, TC, Radio & Daily Newspapers
- within days – As time passes, info gets added, updated and verified. Opinions emerge. Examples: cnn.com, BBC radio, New York Times, etc.
Weekly magazines
- within a week – These offer more insight, likely to include context info, interviews, related topics.
- Examples: Newsweek, Time, People, The New Yorker
Monthly magazines
- within a month – additional time allows for better reporting. May include opinions.
- Example: Time, People Magazine, Wired, National Geographic, Scientific American
Scholarly journals
- Within 3+ months – written by experts, well-researched and objective.
- Examples: Journal of American Culture, Nature, JAMA
Books
- Within 12+ months – benefits most from hindsight. Gives most in-depth coverage of a topic.
- Examples: non-fiction titles, textbooks, reference materials, etc
