Basic content provides a good overview for any student beginning a research project. It not only provides a foundation of key facts about a topic, but introduces keywords to help students who continue their research in other materials or on related topics. Basic content level sources are generally those published for readers up to the eighth grade level. For instance, the Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations (U*X*L) is recommended for this audience.
Intermediate content builds on the research or information at a basic level. For a more experienced researcher, these articles cover a topic in more detail, offering more background information as well as contextual information to expand on the facts. An Intermediate content level indicates a source published for students from a seventh grade comprehension level up through undergraduates, as well as the general public (e.g., Newsmakers).
Advanced content allows a student to complete the most sophisticated assignments requiring the latest news and details at a scholarly or professional level. An Advanced content level icon would appear for content from certain Macmillan or Scribner's titles aimed at scholars or professionals.