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I do not know what types of research I can use in my paper

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. Check out our Understanding Your Assignment guide if you need help figuring out what your professor is asking you to do.  

If your assignment does not say what types of sources you are or aren’t allowed to use, it is safest to use mostly peer-reviewed articles and scholarly books. 

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 usually not a good choice for 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 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.