Check your assignment or syllabus
Can I use Wikipedia?
Can I use a website that I found through Google?
Check your assignment or syllabus
Most of the time, the types of research (or sources) that you’re allowed to use in your paper will be included in the instructions or syllabus you get from your professor.
If your assignment does not say what types of sources you are or aren’t allowed to use, ask your professor! If that's not possible, your best choice is to use mostly peer-reviewed articles and scholarly books.
If your professor wants you use peer-reviewed articles (also known as "peer-reviewed journals," "scholarly articles," "academic journals," etc.) you can find more information in the "I have a question about articles" section of this guide. If you're supposed to use articles from a specific journal or list of journals, see "I need to find a specific journal."
If your professor wants you to use scholarly books (also known as "academic books"), you can find more information in the "I have a question about books" section of this guide.
If your professor wants you to use "popular" sources, that means you should use some sources that are written for everyday people. These could include news articles, longreads, social media posts, blogs, newsletters, and other information on the "regular" Internet, as well as films, television shows, and non-scholarly books. See "I need to find a non-academic source" for more information.
Remember, if you are not sure, ask your professor or a librarian for help!
Can I use Wikipedia?
Wikipedia can be tricky. It is very useful in everyday life but is usually not what your professors expect you to use in an academic research paper. See our section on Wikipedia for more information.
Can I use a website that I found through Google?
We recommend using tools made available by the Library (like OneSearch) when you are first starting out as a researcher. However, if you find something via Google that looks relevant to your paper, you will need to look at it very carefully to make sure that it is the right type of sources for your assignment, and that it is reliable enough to be included in an academic research paper.
Take a look at our guide on Google and Websites for more information on how to tell if a website is appropriate for a research paper.