Sourcing Recent Materials For Research Within 10 Years – Identifying And Evaluating Relevant Sources For Your Research Projects, Papers, Thesis And Dissertation

Sourcing Recent Materials For Research Within 10 Years – Identifying And Evaluating Relevant Sources For Your Research Projects, Papers, Thesis And Dissertation

Writing a research project, thesis, or dissertation can be daunting, especially when sourcing information or resources. With the vast amount of information available on the internet, it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused about where to start. However, sourcing relevant and credible information is the key to writing a successful research project, thesis or dissertation.

Thus, this article explores the steps you can take to source credible information within 10 years to ensure that your research project, thesis or dissertation is high quality and meets the expected standards. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of using various sources, including primary and secondary sources, and offer tips on evaluating the credibility of sources.

By the end of this article, you will better understand how to effectively source information to support your project research, thesis or dissertation.

How To Identify Relevant Sources For Your Research Paper?

The first stage in gathering information for a thesis within ten years is identifying pertinent sources. Finding these sources can be aided with the following techniques:

• Review the Literature in your proposed field:

  Reviewing the literature or past scholarly works in your field of study is one of the best ways to uncover materials for your thesis.

  This will provide a summary of the study and writing on the research’s proposed subject matter. It may enable you to spot knowledge or literature gaps which may be addressed, rectified or filled in your thesis. Literature can be found in books, essays, journals and other research publications.

• Make use of Academic Search Engines:

  Academic search engines such as; Google Scholar, JSTOR and PubMed can be used to source for sources which may be pertinent to your thesis. These search engines enable you to do keyword and phrase-based research for articles, books and other publications. To limit your search results to those published within the last ten years, you can use filters or add the stipulated dates to your academic search.

• Make use of a physical library:

  A physical library might be an excellent place to start when looking for sources for your thesis. Physical libraries still store information that may not be available online, even though many people rely on digital resources today.

   

  These resources can be sourced by using library catalogues, asking the librarian for help, using reference materials, browsing through the shelves and using periodicals.

• Ask your supervisor for help:

  Asking your supervisor for help is another important way to source resources within 10 years. Judging from your supervisor’s experience level in your field of study. He/she can provide valuable insights and guidance on the relevant time source within that stipulated period which can be used for your thesis. Here are some tips on how to effectively seek help from your supervisor:

  1. Set a meeting time: Meet with your supervisor to go through your research question and the materials you’ve previously collected.
  2. Consult your supervisor for suggestions on books, journals, and other resources pertinent to your thesis’s subject. They might have suggestions for sources you were not aware of.
  3. Describe your research objectives to your supervisor: Your supervisor will need to know your research objectives to advise you on the best sources.
  4. Share your progress: Share your progress with your supervisor and ask for feedback on your sources. They may be able to identify gaps in your research and suggest additional resources.

What Are The Different Sources To Consider When Sourcing For A Thesis?

When sourcing for resources within 10 years, it is crucial to consider the variety or categories of sources that can be used in the proposed thesis. Sources, in this context, can be grouped into two, namely, primary and secondary sources.

• Primary Sources:

  When sourcing sources for a thesis over 10 years, it is critical to understand the importance of primary sources. Primary sources are frequently regarded as the gold standard in research because they provide firsthand accounts of events or experiences that have not been filtered through the interpretations of others.

  These sources could include interviews, surveys, and original documents and artefacts. One of the primary advantages of using primary sources is that they can provide a unique perspective on a topic. For example, suppose you’re researching the American Civil Rights Movement. In that case, you might look for primary sources such as speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.

  This source will most likely provide first-hand insights into the lived experiences of the period in the country during that particular period. This way, you can better understand the social and political context attached to this particular event.

  However, remember that primary sources are not immune to biases or inaccuracies. It is critical to consider the context in which primary sources were created when using them. For example, a personal diary from the Civil War era may reflect the author’s biases or beliefs and may not accurately represent the larger historical context.

  Similarly, biases of the interviewer or respondent may influence interviews or surveys. To reduce the possibility of bias in primary sources, it is necessary to critically evaluate each source while also considering the larger historical and social context in which it was produced.

  For example, suppose you are using an interview with a Holocaust survivor as a primary source. In that case, you might think about the historical context of the Holocaust and how survivors have been represented in literature and media.

• Secondary Sources:

  It is critical to consider the value of secondary sources when sourcing resources for a thesis within a 10-year time frame. Primary sources are analyzed, interpreted, or discussed in secondary sources. Examples are books, scholarly articles, review articles, and other types of publications.

  One of the primary advantages of using secondary sources is that they provide a more thorough and nuanced understanding of a subject. For example, if you are researching the history of feminism in Nigeria, you might consult secondary sources like scholarly articles or books written by experts.

  These sources can help you identify key themes and trends in your research by providing a more detailed and nuanced analysis of the primary sources related to your topic. Secondary sources can also assist you in identifying gaps in your topic’s existing literature.

  Reviewing the works of other scholars can help you identify areas where more research is needed or where your research can make a difference. Furthermore, secondary sources can help you better understand your topic by providing a broader historical and social context for your research.

  However, it is critical to evaluate secondary sources critically and consider any biases or limitations. For example, if you are researching a topic that occurred in the 2010s using a book published in the 1980s, you may need to consider how time has influenced the author’s analysis.

  Similarly, consider the author’s biases or perspectives and how they may have influenced their interpretation of the primary sources.

How To Evaluate The Credibility Of A Source.

When gathering information for a thesis within a 10-year time frame, it is important to evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source used. These are some essential actions you may take to assess the credibility of a source:

• Identify the author and their credentials: Begin by looking at the author and credentials of the source. Examine whether they are a recognized expert in the field or have relevant qualifications or experience.
• Examine the publication date: The publication date can also provide information about the source’s relevance. It might be more current and relevant to your research if published recently.
• Consider the publisher or platform: Take into account the publisher or platform that is hosting the source. It will be candid to answer questions such as; is it a well-known publisher or website that produces high-quality content? Sources hosted on personal blogs or non-professional websites should be avoided.
• Consider your target audience: Determine the source’s intended audience. To do that, it is vital to answer questions such as; is it intended for a general audience or academic or professional use? This will assist you in determining the level of rigour and expertise needed for the content.
• Verify sources and citations: Examine the sources and citations listed in the source to ensure their accuracy and dependability. If no sources are given, or the information cannot be verified, it may indicate a lack of credibility.