Text media are data or information sources which exist as references in textual, numeric, or similar formats. These include various types of publications as well as unpublished manuscripts, databases, and documents. They do not include material written for internet-based web display, but they may be hosted on the internet and retrieved from there.

These sources can generally be consulted for verification (although their availability may expire in some cases). They are generally considered second-hand data sources, and their reliability is generally lower than direct observation but higher than many websites or direct communication with persons.

A standalone document retains its document source type when a copy is downloaded from the internet. Ordinary content written for a webpage has the separate website meaning; online availability alone does not establish that source category.