Academy at the Lakes Library

Open Access Sources

Use the tabs above to find online and database sources for research projects. All sources are open access, meaning they are free for the public to access. Some sources show more information or a description by clicking the 'i' icon next to the link. 

For many sources, find the search bar to look through the website or database for information relevant to your topic. 

For our database resources, click here. 

The Evaluator's Toolbox

Use these terms to evaluate or decide if a source is appropriate for your research.

• Authority: credentials of the author(s) and the publisher or organization
  • Is the author an expert in the field? Is the publisher a trusted source? Is it a peer reviewed resource? 
• Audience: age appropriateness for the intended audience, consumers or experts in the field
  • Does the reading level match the academic rigor or audience level? Is there jargon, specific terms that only experts in the field would know, or does the author explain these concepts? 
• Scope, Coverage & Relevance: time/location covered, general or specific, relevance to topic
  • How much of this source covers your research question? Does the time, location, age of publication, and topic relate directly or tangentially to your topic? Is this a broad overview, or a niche topic, as compared to your topic? 
• Bias & Accuracy: author’s/publisher’s purpose, factualness
  • Does the author recognized their own bias? Are all points accurate and backed up with evidence? Is this an informational, opinion, persuasive, or casual piece?
• Currency & Timeliness: publication date, recency to topic
  • How timely or up to date is the publication to your specific needs?
• Quality: methodology, writing and organization skills, the argument, quality of sources
  • Are the methodologies used well done? Does the argument follow in a clear orderly way, accounting for counter-arguments, trends, current research, etc.? Are the sources used complete, cited properly, and of academic quality? 
• Commercialism: .com, sponsorship, advertisements, products
  • Do you suspect money is a primary motivation to the publication of your source?