Information is organized in a variety of ways, including format, subject, or source type. The way information is generated often determines how it will be distributed and organized. Current events will first appear in Internet and news sources, and will often include primary source material. Days, weeks, and months later information will appear in magazines, journals and books. Understanding this information cycle will help you choose the most appropriate source for your research.
These events are further categorized by subject, or field of study. Libraries and scholarly sources are organized by these subject areas. Often you'll find the same events in more than one subject area. Knowing which subject area to begin your search can save you time and frustration.