Where Do You Find Credible Sources for Your Freelance Articles?
Are you using reliable sources of information for your posts?
You must do your research!
It’s one very important reminder I always get as a freelance writer.
It isn’t enough to simply have an opinion. It isn’t enough to be good with words. You must also support your work through research and proper validation of facts.
It may be time consuming.
But it will help you avoid having false information. It will also be very beneficial for your readers who want to know more about the topic you’re writing about.
Another advantage of using credible resources is that you get access to more information that can help you develop your story in a whole new level.
Here are some credible resources you can use for your articles:
1. Government websites
You will usually find out that you are reading a government website when its URL ends with “.gov”. These websites are authoritative and can be used to research more about your topic or to support your story with relevant facts.
These website may contain news, press release articles, studies, statistics and other resources for its readers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency
For a list of USA government departments/agencies, click here.
2. Reputable news sites
One quick way to support your article is to see what well-established news websites have already written about the topic.
The more recent the piece you find, the better. Also try to use only the more popular and trusted ones. Find those that are within your relevant niche.
Some examples include:
PressGazette lists the “Top 50 biggest news websites in the world”.
3. International organizations
Some well known international organizations can also provide supporting data for your freelance writing projects.
Here are some examples:
4. Research and Analysis Databases, Firms and Institutions
These institutions are involved in research and analysis and can provide data relevant to the article you are writing.
5. Scholarly Journals and Databases
For articles that require scientific or other academic resources, you can try to look in the following websites:
6. Expert Interviews and Personal Research
Nothing beats first-hand information gathering and research. You can conduct the research yourself (provided you have the tools and the know-how), or you can interview experts to provide you with the information you need.
One way to interview experts is to reach out to colleagues in niche topics.
Bonus Tips
Just because you are writing an online article doesn’t mean you can’t use an offsite resource. You can always go to your local library for research. Aside from the refreshing change of location, you can also meet people there who can help you with your research.
I always appreciate the ambiance of libraries, especially those with cafés where I can order my favorite coffee!
You can also use books (whether digital or paperback) to back up your articles. Just be sure that these books are authoritative in their niche.
If you are in doubt with a certain news or information, you can go to fact-checking websites like Factcheck.org and Snopes.
Can You Use Wikipedia?
Wikipedia can be a starting point for some of your research. But instead of citing Wikipedia itself, look at the references used in the article. Once you have verified these sources, you can cite the original source of information for your articles.
Final Thoughts
When writing your articles, you also have to consider the supporting materials you can use to expound your story.
Make use of credible and authoritative sources to validate your information. Not only will you gain access to more relevant data, you will also save your readers time if they want to read more about the topic at hand.