where can i find reliable resources on college athletics for a paper? i am writing about student athletes and i have used the NCAA website, but are there any journals? can i use newpaper articles or would those be considered too biased?
In addition to searching on the Internet, be sure to try other sources, including the huge searchable databases that just about every library subscribes to these days, especially college libraries.
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You may have to search and research, but once you learn some good sources and methods, you should have success. In addition to searching on the Internet, you also need to make best friends with the reference librarian(s) in your local or college library. Libraries these days subscribe to enormous research databases, and they are often more useful than Internet searches. Ask your librarian if you have access to EBSCOHost -- it has several databases within it, including at least three for health sciences, one for military and government, one huge one for academic research, and others.
For Internet searching:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/
At this webpage, you can go immediately to the search sites (first three columns across the top) -- or even better you can scroll down until you see the section called HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET. Those are the links to start with. You'll not only learn how to come up with good search terms, but also how to evaluate the webpages you get as results. Some will be good and others will be garbage. You need to know how to tell the difference.
My favorite way to search is to go to Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en and put my search words or phrases into the first or second search box (either "all the words" or "exact phrase"). Another is to start out at http://scholar.google.com. However, there many other strategies for searching you can use, and the HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET section will help you best.
Learning to use Google or other search engines can save you time and help you learn to find information efficiently. Here are some websites that can teach you how:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/searchtips.html
http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html
http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T
... and one to help you judge whether a particular website's information is worth your time:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/evaluate.html
Happy searching.
Finding reliable resources on college athletics for your paper can be a bit of a challenge, but there are several avenues you can explore. Here are some suggestions:
1. Academic Databases: Academic databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, or EBSCOhost are excellent sources for scholarly articles and journals on college athletics. You can search using keywords such as "college athletics," "student athletes," or specific topics related to your paper. These databases usually provide peer-reviewed articles, ensuring reliable and high-quality sources.
To access these databases, you may need a subscription through your institution, so make sure to check if your college or university provides access.
2. Sports Science Journals: Look for specialized journals that focus on sports science, sports management, or sports sociology. These journals often publish research studies, articles, and analysis specific to college athletics. Journal titles like the "Journal of Sport Management" or "International Journal of Sport Communication" might be worth exploring.
To find these journals, you can use the academic databases mentioned above or even do a Google Scholar search for specific topics.
3. NCAA Publications: In addition to the NCAA website, consider exploring publications specifically released by the NCAA. They often publish reports, studies, and articles related to college athletics. These resources can provide valuable insights and data.
4. Books and Book Chapters: Search for books or book chapters written by scholars, sports researchers, or industry experts on college athletics. These sources can provide in-depth analysis, historical context, and theoretical perspectives on various aspects of student-athlete experience. Use your library's catalog or online platforms like Amazon and Google Books to find relevant titles.
5. Newspaper Articles: While newspaper articles can provide current information and real-life examples, it's important to exercise caution as they may have potential biases. When utilizing newspaper articles, consider balancing viewpoints by referring to multiple sources from different publications and scrutinize the article's credibility, objectivity, and accuracy. Look for reputable newspapers with a long-standing reputation for journalistic integrity.
Remember, it's always recommended to critically evaluate the sources you use, assess the credibility of authors, check for peer-reviewed materials, and consider multiple perspectives to develop a well-rounded and reliable paper.