Characteristics of Sources

Sources have several defining characteristics or traits, which allow the user to evaluate that source in relation to their information need.

Examples of characteristics include:

• formats such as blogs
• sources with a scholarly purpose
• primary or original sources that don't reference other sources (i.e. diaries)

This guide explains how to identify characteristics of an information source and how those characteristics influence the application of that information to a research assignment.

After reviewing this Topic Guide, students should be able to:

• Identify the characteristics of information resources.