Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The nation’s leading service organization that protects the public’s health.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Searchable database for data and statistics on health related topics.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
27 Institutes and Centers focusing on particular diseases or body systems.
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
The world’s largest biomedical library, supporting and conducting research, development, and training in biomedical informatics and health information technology.
Exploratory Papers
Exploratory papers allow a student to pursue the process of discovery in order to learn more about a topic and to share in writing what they have learned. Information gathering is part of this process, but there is no requirement for critical analysis of a topic or defense of an argument in the paper.
From the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Research Papers
A research paper requires the student to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize information and to communicate in writing a novel perspective on a topic. An argumentative research paper requires that the writer adopt and defend a particular stance on a topic, and an analytical research paper requires that the writer ask questions and offer a critical and thoughtful response.
From the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Presentations
Research presentations can be made individually and in collaboration with others, orally and in writing, in person and online, and can incorporate multiple technologies including presentation slides, videos, websites, and electronic portfolios. In any context, it is important to communicate effectively, ensure accuracy, and document any sources you incorporate into your message in accordance with assignment requirements.
Annotated Bibliographies
An annotated bibliography is a list of full citations, formatted in the bibliographic style required by the assignment (MLA, APA, etc.). Each citation is followed by an annotation consisting of any or all of these: a resource summary, an evaluation of the resource, a reflection of the resource's relevance to your research.
From the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Literature Reviews
A literature review is a summary and brief analysis of the current scholarly research on a topic, including books, journal articles, and more. The goal of a literature review is to examine themes within the currently scholarly research and identify areas for further exploration.
From the University of Michigan Pharmacy & Pharmacology LibGuide
From Sourcing, Summarizing and Synthesizing: Skills for Effective Research Writing
Academic Books
Academic books provide scholarly research in depth and are useful for background information and context for your topic. Their wider scope and greater length result in a lengthy publication timeline, so those that deal with rapidly developing topics may not include the most recent information.
Academic and Professional Journals
Academic articles are often peer-reviewed, contain original research, and provide a more focused treatment of a topic. Substantive articles found in professional or trade journals are written by experts in a field and may also be considered reliable research resources. Articles usually have a narrow or specific focus, so they may not be the best resources for initial research.
Academic Video
Academic video is most useful in the instructional environment when it illustrates and reinforces concepts and competencies. Videos may contain scholarly content, but are not peer-reviewed resources. In a research context they may be considered supplemental resources.
