Identify the sources that best fit your topic. Different topics need different types of reference sources. If your subject matter is timely, look for recent newspaper, journal and magazine articles. Is your assignment to write about a piece of literature? Your references will be scholarly articles and books written by literature professors. Analyze your research needs before looking for references.
Rely on resources others than Google. In high school, you probably used a general Internet search engine to find reference sources. In college, leave that type of research behind you. If you can't quite break your Google habit, use Google Scholar. This search engine contains some full-text articles and many abstracts (short descriptions) of scholarly articles. If you find an interesting abstract, ask your school librarian to help you find the full text of the article. Many university libraries subscribe to reference database services, such as GALILEO or JSTOR, that allow students access to full scholarly articles. Ask your instructor or a librarian for the password needed to access these resources.
Look at the publisher of the resource. Whether you are looking at a website, book or journal, it is important that the publisher of the piece be reputable. Look for a website whose address ends in "edu" or "gov." Books published by a university press are known for having well-researched content. Find articles that appear in scholarly journals. A scholarly journal is most often published through a college or sponsored by a professional organization.
Examine the author's credentials. A good reference source will list the author's credentials, often at the beginning or end of the article or book. Read these to find evidence that the author is an expert in the field. The author should have a degree in the field and/or have done extensive research in that area. See if the author is affiliated with universities or professional organizations that specialize in the field dealt with in the text.
Make sure your sources have current information. For both print and online sources, be certain the information has not become outdated. As you research your topic, you will become aware of what is happening in the field. Use this knowledge to recognize when you are have a source that relies on out-of-date information or antiquated ideas regarding the subject.