Library:WD/ScholarlyCommunication/CycleOfScholarlyCommunication

The cycle of scholarly communication

In order to find information, it helps to understand how information is created and published in the first place. Scholarly communication is often discussed in terms of a cycle because reading about a subject area might spark a new idea in the mind of the reader, thus beginning the cycle all over again. Here you can see the cycle of scholarly communication, and it is easy to imagine how ideas are built upon one another.

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Generally, when you are seeking information, especially on an unfamiliar topic, it is often effective to move counter-clockwise around the cycle of scholarly communication. Begin with reference sources that provide an introduction to a topic. Next look for books that provide you with more descriptive information and a holistic view of the topic. Finally, search for journal articles for a more current perspective or to examine the original research that was published.