Where should you look for sources?
It depends on what you need. There is no wrong place to look - but there are ways of looking that are more likely to produce good results. Below are a few starting points and tips.
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Open Web
Sources you can find without institutional connections (like a RISD login), often via search engines.
- Open web searching
- Open Access journals (free to read)
- Databases offering Public Domain images, texts, and other open material
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Deep Web
Subscription sources that are hidden from search engines. You must be on campus or log into your RISD library account to use these.
- Academic Databases
- New York Times
- Activate your RISD account here
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Don't forget about print sources!
- Search for these in the library catalog.
- You can also use Google Books, Amazon, Wikipedia or other search tools to discover books/magazines and then check the library catalog to see if we have them. Want help finding something we don't have? Email researchhelp@risd.edu.
What if I found something in a non-English language?
- Are there search tools you can use because of your additional language skills? You can use the same evaluation processes to decide if the information is worthwhile.
- Will your professor accept the sources? You'll need to ask them - do it as early as you can.
- When it comes to writing about the sources, it will be helpful to others if you paraphrase what they are saying (instead of quoting in another language).