Final answer:
Start your research at your college library website and use Go--ogle Scholar, ensuring specificity in your search terms. Reference librarians can guide you in using databases like Academic OneFile and Academic Search Complete for access to peer-reviewed academic publications.
Step-by-step explanation:
For free access to many scholarly articles and other high-quality sources, you should start your research at your college library website, where you can utilize a vast array of academic databases that your institution subscribes to. Utilizing services such as Go--ogle Scholar is also recommended, as it helps in finding sources across various topics. Although Go--ogle Scholar catalogues a broad range of disciplines, it is essential to narrow down the search results by being as specific as possible and using the academic discipline as a keyword in your searches.
It is advisable to consult a reference librarian at your college library for assistance with constructing effective searches and selecting appropriate databases like Academic OneFile from Gale and Academic Search Complete from EBSCOhost. Peer-reviewed academic publications, which include textbooks, essays, journals, articles, reports, and scholarly books, represent the gold standard in research and can be found through these databases.
For nonacademic sources, looking at .gov or .org websites related to your topic can be helpful. However, it's important to assess the credibility of such sources, as .org sites may reflect the biases of their advocacy. Printed and electronic texts available through databases also serve as excellent resources to complement your research.