Philosophy165 Religions of the World

This guide will help you with your research for your PHI165 World Religions research.

The library is here to help you along the way! If you have a research question, use the Get Help from a Librarian tab to start a chat or schedule a research appointment.

Any time you're doing research, please be sure to read your assignment carefully so you find the types of sources your instructor requires. Check with your instructor if you have questions about your assignment.

As with any research project, the first step is to identify the kind of information you need. Knowing what kind of information you need will help you plan your research, use the right search tools, and locate relevant sources.

Information need: Find sources to address the pieces of information you need to include about your chosen religion:

• The religion's origins
• Its founder
• Sacred texts
• Major beliefs and practices
• Divisions/sects

Search Tools

Where are you most likely to find the information you need?

Search Engines (internet browser like Google or Safari): news media, magazine articles, government sources, videos, blogs, general internet articles.

• Some information may be behind a paywall, including quality news sources and sources from Google Scholar.
• Not everything found on Google Scholar is scholarly or peer-reviewed.
• Review all sources carefully to make sure you meet the requirements of your assignment and that they are useful for your research.

Library Databases: news and magazine articles, peer-reviewed sources, reference sources, biographies, primary sources, videos, statistics.

• Full text is available for thousands of database sources at any time without a library card.
• Databases identify the information format (academic journal, newspaper, etc.) so you can be sure you're meeting assignment requirement and using the best source for your needs.
• All database sources should be evaluated for credibility and usefulness.

Choosing Sources for Your Research

As you research your speeches, it's important to consult a variety of sources and engage with diverse ideas. This helps ensure that your information is:

• Accurate
• Comprehensive
• Balanced
• Supported by evidence