There are many types of sources, here is the difference between all of them. (There are more differences but this is a start.)
For research papers, you will want to stick primarily with scholarly sources
| Type | Peer Reviewed? | Written by who? For who? | Who publishes? How often? | Ease of Publishing? | Bias? | Who is making money? How? | Suitable for citing? |
| Monograph | No | Author: Experts Audience: Other Researchers Jargon present, often sounds like people swallowed a dictionary | Scholarly press Published once | Hard Can take years | None to little | Author – book royalties Publisher – sales of book | Yes |
| Thesis/ Dissertation | Sort of | Author: A student under the guidance of professors Audience: Other Researchers Jargon usually present | University Published once | Hard Can take years | None to little | No one | Yes |
| Textbook | No | Author: Experts Audience: Students Jargon may be present but usually there is a definition | Scholarly or Commercial Press Published once | Hard Can take years | None to little | Author – book royalties Publisher – sales of book | Yes |
| Book (non-fiction) | No | Author: Anyone Audience: Everyone Jargon may be present | Publisher varies Published once | Depends | None to Extensive | Author – book royalties Publisher – sales of book | Sometimes |
| Academic Journal | Yes | Author: Scientist/Academic Audience: Other Researchers Jargon usually present | Publisher varies Published a few times a year | Hard Can take years | None to little | Journal Publisher – Authors might pay a fee to publish – Audience pays to access unless author pays more | Yes |
| Trade Journal / Trade Magazine | No | Author: Industry members Audience: Industry members Jargon may be present. | Industry Organization Published Weekly, Monthly, or Quarterly | Depends | None to Extensive | Author – possibly paid by journal Publisher – paid for issue/article by audience – paid by advertisers | Sometimes |
| Magazine | No | Author: Journalists (staff or freelance) Audience: Everyone Jargon unlikely | Publisher varies Published Weekly, Monthly, or Quarterly | Medium | Some to Extensive | Author – paid if article accepted Publisher – paid for issue/article by audience – paid by advertisers | Sometimes |
| Newspaper | No | Author: Staff Journalist Audience: Everyone Jargon unlikely | Usually for profit media companies Published daily to weekly | Medium | Some to Extensive | Author – paid if article accepted Publisher – paid for issue/article by audience – paid by advertisers | Sometimes |
| Encyclopedia | No | Author: Varies Audience: Everyone Jargon unlikely | Publisher varies Daily | Easy Instant (Wiki) | Some to Extensive | Publisher – from sales (print) | No |
| News sites | No | Author: Varies Audience: Everyone Jargon unlikely | Usually for profit media companies Multiple times a day | Medium | Some to Extensive | Author – paid if article accepted Publisher – paid for issue/article by audience – paid by advertisers for views | Rare |
| Blog Website Social Media | No | Author: Anyone Audience: Everyone Jargon unlikely | Publisher varies Usually published regularly (daily, weekly, monthly) | Easiest Instant | Some to Extensive | Author – Various sources – affiliate links – commission – product placement | Rare |