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Introduction
Research for Arguments Tutorial


 
You can't read everything on your topic, so knowing which sources fit your assignment will help you develop a strategy for your research. Consider the following questions:
 
1. What kind of information will help?
Overview, general descriptions?
Facts, statistics?
Research studies?
Primary sources (original documents, etc.)?

2. What does the assignment require?
Number of sources?
Variety of sources?
Scholarly sources?
Recently published sources?
World Wide Web sources? (if acceptable)

3. How big is the topic?
Is it a new topic that hasn't been studied much?
Is it an old topic to which you must add new details?

Is the topic a local or global issue?

 

Local Issues

graduated driver licensing in Wisconsin

price of textbooks at UWM

Global Issues

stem cell research

capital punishment

 

What is a primary source?

Click the ? below to go to the UWM Libraries "Frequently Asked Questions " section where primary sources are explained.

http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/help/help2a.html

 

 

Are scholarly journals different than magazines?

Click on the magazines below to go to the UWM Libraries "Frequently Asked Questions " section where scholarly sources are explained.
 
You might want to use books, journals, the World Wide Web, or a combination of these sources for your research. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each source and how each might contribute to your understanding of your topic.