You’re in college, and whether you’re traveling the traditional or online college courses route, you need help finding articles and information that is credible and well-written. Where do you search?

• Your college campus library will have articles that are found online without having to step into the real facility. Your college library is for your benefit; usually folks perusing the Internet cannot log in to the information provided by colleges and universities.
• Your computer News icon is a great resource for finding out the latest news on the topic of your choice. Place your topic in the search box, click on search, and see a list of current news articles about your topic.
• Focus on .edu and .gov over .com Internet addresses. The information provided on the former is usually well-written and well-researched.
• Don’t be afraid to double-check your information. If you find a great quote in an article, try to find the real source and double-check your work.
• Articles written by professionals in their field will usually trump someone who is merely interested in the subject even if the person has experienced the situation first-hand. If you’re going to use a first-hand experience, back it up with professional comments.
• When collecting your research, make sure you keep everything together. Organize your research by subtopics within your main topic. Color code the research to keep your quotes and information together. For example, use blue highlighter colors for one sub topic, yellow for another. Highlight as you read. When your paper is ready to write, you can see what needs to go where at a glance.

Research is made easier when you stick to your topic, focus on the highest elements of credibility, and don’t get overwhelmed in the organization process. Good luck!