Research
Academic Databases
ERIC research database: complete tutorial
The ERIC database is the premier education literature database for scholarly research. This guide covers search types and strategies, filters, and full text options.
How to efficiently search online databases for academic research
Academic research isn't difficult if you know where and how to search for scholarly articles and research papers. Here's how to do it.
How to use Google Scholar: the ultimate guide
Google Scholar is the number one academic search engine. Our detailed guide covers best practices for basic and advanced search strategies in Google Scholar.
How to use PubMed: the ultimate guide
PubMed is the most popular search engine for biomedical sciences. Learn how to use PubMed, basic and advanced search strategies, and about its limitations and alternatives in this ultimate guide.
Is Google Scholar a database or search engine? [Update 2024]
Google Scholar is the number one free resource to discover scientific literature, but is it an academic database or a search engine?
The best academic research databases [Update 2024]
Your research is stuck and you need to find new sources? Take a look at our compilation of academic research databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, JSTOR, DOAJ, Science Direct, and IEEE Xplore.
The best academic search engines [Update 2024]
Your research is stuck, and you need to find new sources. Take a look at our compilation of free academic search engines: ✓ Google Scholar ✓ BASE ✓ CORE ✓ Science.gov
The best research databases for computer science [Update 2024]
The top 4 research databases specifically dedicated to computer science: ✓ ACM Digital Library ✓ IEEE Xplore ✓ dbpl ✓ Springer LNCS
The best research databases for healthcare and medicine [Update 2024]
We have compiled the top list of research databases for healthcare, medicine, and biomedical research: PubMed, EMBASE, PMC, and Cochrane Library.
Bibliometrics
Learn how to calculate your h-index on Google Scholar
Learn how to calculate your h-index using Google Scholar online for free, and which tools to use for a detailed analysis.
Learn how to calculate your h-index using Scopus [3 steps]
Learn how to assess your h-index on Scopus in 3 easy steps.
Learn how to calculate your h-index using Web of Science
Learn how to calculate your h-index using Web of Science in 3 easy steps.
The ultimate how-to-guide on the h-index
Learn what an h-index is, how to calculate it, and why it is important to know about it for your career as a scientist.
What is a good h-index? [with examples]
Curious to know what a good h-index is? Read this guide to learn when an h-index is considered good.
What is a good impact factor?
Do you want to find out what a good impact factor is? Read this guide to learn what an impact factor is, how it is calculated, and what impact factor is considered good.
Credible Sources
Can a blog be a credible source? [Update 2024]
You want to add a blog post to your research paper? In general, blogs are not considered to be credible sources: ➜ check out these reasons to learn more about it.
How can I find credible sources? [7 tips]
Sometimes it is hard to determine whether a source is credible or not. Read our guide to help you find credible sources.
Is Wikipedia a credible source?
We all ❤ Wikipedia, but can you cite it in your research paper? No. Wikipedia is not a credible source, and here is why you should only use it for preliminary research.
What are credible sources?
Credible sources are sources that are trustworthy and can be used as references in your academic papers. This guide will help you identify and evaluate sources for their credibility.
What are predatory journals?
This day and age, you have to be careful where you submit your work for publication. This article helps you spot a predatory journal and has tips and tricks on what to do if you accidentally submitted to one.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Interviews: are they a primary source?
Interviews can add tremendously to your research project. Read on to quickly learn when an interview is considered a primary source.
Is a documentary a secondary source? [with examples]
You are not sure if a documentary is a secondary source? We show you when and why is a documentary either a secondary or a tertiary source.
Is a letter a primary source?
Letters are frequently used in historical research. Read on to see when a letter qualifies as a primary source.
Is a map a primary source? [with examples]
Are you not sure if a map is a primary source? This guide will show you when and why a map is a primary or a secondary source.
Is a painting a primary source? [with examples]
Are you unsure if a painting is a primary source? This guide will show you when and why a painting is either a primary or a secondary source.
Is a textbook a secondary source?
Are you unsure if a textbook is a secondary source? Learn in this guide when and why a textbook is either a primary, secondary, or tertiary source.
Is an autobiography a primary source?
Are you not sure if an autobiography is a primary source? We show you when and why an autobiography is either a primary or secondary source.
Is an encyclopedia a primary source?
Are you unsure if an encyclopedia is a primary source? Find your answer and learn the right way to reference an encyclopedia in this guide.
Is census data a primary source?
You are not sure if census data is a primary source? We will show you when and why census data is a primary source and where to get it.
Is the US Constitution a primary source?
Are you wondering if the US Constitution is a primary source? Find the answer to your question in this guide.
Newspaper articles: primary or secondary sources?
Learn what questions to ask to see if a newspaper article really qualifies as a primary source.
Primary vs. secondary sources: how to distinguish them
Primary and secondary sources are the foundations of every research project. Learn about their differences and when to use them.
What is a primary source?
Primary sources are the most important sources when undertaking a research project. We answer the 5 most asked questions about primary sources.
What is a secondary source?
Secondary sources are your starting point when undertaking a research project. We answer the 5 most asked questions about secondary sources.
Research Methodology
How to do a content analysis [7 steps]
Content analysis is a research method you might come across when analyzing data. Learn what a content analysis is and how to do one in this step-by-step guide.
How to do a thematic analysis [6 steps]
A thematic analysis is a research method you might come across when analyzing qualitative data. Learn what a thematic analysis is and how to write one in this step-by-step guide.
How to write a rhetorical analysis [4 steps]
A rhetorical analysis explores the goals and motivations of an author, the techniques they’ve used to reach their audience, and how successful these techniques were. Learn how to write an excellent rhetorical analysis in this guide.
Qualitative vs. quantitative research - what’s the difference?
Qualitative and quantitative research are effective but very different approaches to study a subject. Learn the difference between them, what they are used for, and how to analyze qualitative and quantitative research in this guide.
What is research methodology? [Update 2024]
Having the right research methodology can be a make-or-break factor for your academic work. What is research methodology, and how can you get ahead?
Scholarly Sources
How to find a DOI [Update 2024]
Are you not sure where to find a DOI? Read this guide to learn exactly where to spot DOIs, and how to include them in your citations!
How to identify if a source is scholarly
Not sure if it is a scholarly source? Looking at these 6 identifiers can help differentiate scholarly from non-scholarly articles.
How to know if an article is peer reviewed [6 key features]
You don't know exactly what 'peer reviewed' articles are? Read this guide to learn all about peer reviewed articles, their features, and how to find them!
Is a book a scholarly source? [with checklist]
Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish scholarly from non-scholarly books. This guide will help you with that. Learn how to identify scholarly books by following our simple guidelines.
What are peer reviewed journals? [Update 2024]
You don't know exactly what 'peer review' means? Read this guide to clear your doubts, and learn more about peer reviewed articles, its process and types!
What is a DOI [with examples]
What is a DOI? Learn what a digital object identifier is and how to include a DOI in APA and other styles.
What is a scholarly source?
Are you wondering what a scholarly source is and what makes it a scholarly source? Learn all about it in this guide, including what elements a scholarly source generally contains.
What is grey literature? [with examples]
Wondering what is grey literature and how to find it? Find all things grey literature in this quick and easy guide filled with sources for grey literature.