Discovery Seminar - The Protest Story - Vigilante - Fall 2021

The Information Cycle

Read the infographic below, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Undergraduate Library, about the Information Cycle.

​  Example: Occupy Wall Street

An example collection of sources about Occupy Wall Street, a protest movement that began in fall 2011.

Remember that these date ranges are not exact; in a long-term event like a protest, new information is continuously coming out and reflection will likely begin before the movement is officially over.

These sources are about the straight facts of an event. They may or may not offer commentary or reflection on happenings; they are regularly updated with information as it becomes available. In modern protests, much of this information is provided by participants themselves via social media.

Places to search for these sources:

• Newspapers
• Television
• Social media, including YouTube (depending on protest era)

These sources begin to reflect on the impact and broader meaning of an event. Authors are typically journalists, with commentary provided by experts. Supplemental information is usually provided by participants. This timeframe is where you are likely to find formal reflective interviews with people who were there.

Places to search for these sources:

• Newspapers
• Television
• Magazines

These sources view the event in its historical context. Earlier reflective works may have begun to discuss the effects the movement or event will have, but these resources will often aim to be more comprehensive. Authors are typically scholars or experts, though journalists will also sometimes write these sources.

Places to search for these sources:

• Scholarly Journals
• Books
• Reference Collections

  Recommended Databases

Supreme Court Cases

Newspapers

Scholarly Databases

Background Resources