We live in a time of information overload! Information is being created and shared at record rates through formal pathways, like books, magazines, journals, etc, as well as through informal pathways, like self-published materials, social media content, and conversation. All of these ways of sharing information have merit, depending on the type of information you need. Knowing what type of source you need or are currently using will help you evaluate that information contained within it and determine its helpfulness or appropriateness.
One way to think about source types is by thinking about the Information Creation Cycle. Watch this video from the John M. Pfau Library at Cal State San Bernardino for an example of the Information Cycle.
Some faculty may be very specific the types of sources you will be allowed to use for an assignment while other faculty may give you more leeway in determining which information is best for supporting your research. Below are some ways in which you might hear source types described and some pros/cons of that source type. This is not an exhaustive list so any time you have questions about a source type, Just Ask!
This guide is inspired by the Brown University Library Evaluating Information Guide: https://libguides.brown.edu/evaluate/Home. With permission, we are re-using some of their graphics and content.