To complete this module Read the Objectives. Read the module contents below.
We live in the Information Age. Traditional methods of publishing and broadcasting information, in combination with the worldwide network of networks we call the Internet, make it possible for information to be generated, transmitted, and used at an unprecedented rate. The challenge today is for those who need a particular piece of information to be able to find it in the vast supply that is available to us all.
The best way to begin a search for information is to define your information need. You may want to ask yourself, "What kind of information do I need?" You may need an overview, a comprehensive search of research on a topic, a quick reference to a fact, or an in-depth treatment. Once you decide what type of information you need, you can select a source that will be likely to have the information or plan a search strategy that will include several types of sources.
Following are some information types that are particularly useful for academic purposes, such as research papers and speeches:
Whether you are searching for information in indexes and bibliographies or citing sources in your own paper, you need to understand the conventions for documenting sources ranging from scholarly works to interviews. A bibliographic citation or reference should provide all the essential elements of information about the source to enable anyone to track it down. This includes the author, title, source and date of publication.