When getting started, I will sometimes Google my topic to help me find more vocabulary and ideas. Once you're ready to find scholarly literature, you'll want to use a library catalog, journal database, or Google Scholar to help you find appropriate sources, but a general Google search can be helpful in the brainstorming phase.
Popular | Scholarly | |
---|---|---|
Author | Staff writer; journalist | Expert in the field; known credentials |
Audience | General public | Scholars, researchers |
Language | Little technical language or subject-specific jargon | Uses technical language and subject-specific jargon |
Coverage | Broad topics; shallow coverage; shorter length | Narrow topics; in-depth coverage; longer length |
Documentation | Usually no bibliography | Bibliography present |
Peer-reviewed? | No | Often |