Bibliographic Research

Bibliographic research may be defined as any research requiring information to be gathered from published materials. These materials may include more traditional resources such as books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and reports, but may also consist of electronic media such as audio and video recordings, and films, and online resources like websites, blogs, and bibliographic databases. Easy access to computers and mobile devices places myriad sources of information at the fingertips of researchers almost instantaneously. The convenience of online information sources is an advantage; however, the speed of accessing material should not outweigh the need for quality or reliability of the content. The challenge for researchers, including those in the communication discipline, is discerning which resources are appropriate to include in academic research and how to determine whether the information provided is accurate, authoritative, and current. Researchers also need to determine which bibliographic sources contain the depth and breadth of information to match the needs of the research project. A government report or book may provide too much information, whereas a website or recorded interview may not provide enough.

An effective bibliographic researcher is able to determine the extent of the information needed; access the needed information effectively and efficiently; critically evaluate information and its sources; incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base; use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose; understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of the information; and access and use information ethically and legally. The quality of the research project is positively affected when these criteria take precedence over ease of information access. This entry identifies common bibliographic research tools available to university students and faculty, describes guidelines to use in assessing the veracity of information found online, and discusses three methods of information seeking that will aid in locating relevant resources.