how are secondary sources valuable in literature review quizlet

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In the social sciences, a secondary source is usually a scholar book, journal article, or digital or print document that was created by someone who did not directly experience or participate in the events or conditions under investigation. Secondary sources are not evidence per se, but rather, provide an interpretation, analysis, or commentary derived from the content of primary source materials and/or other secondary sources.

Value of Secondary Sources

To do research, you must cite research. Primary sources do not represent research per se, but only the artifacts from which most research is derived. Therefore, the majority of sources in a literature review are secondary sources that present research findings, analysis, and the evaluation of other researcher's works.

Reviewing secondary source material can be of valu e in improving your overall research paper because secondary sources facilitate the communication of what is known about a topic. This literature also helps you understand the level of uncertainty about what is currently known and what additional information is needed from further research. It is important to note, however, that secondary sources are not the subject of your analysis. Instead, they represent various opinions, interpretations, and arguments about the research problem you are investigating--opinions, interpretations, and arguments with which you may either agree or disagree with as part of your own analysis of the literature.

Examples of secondary sources you could review as part of your overall study include:     * Bibliographies [also considered tertiary]     * Biographical works     * Books, other than fiction and autobiography     * Commentaries, criticisms     * Dictionaries, Encyclopedias [also considered tertiary]     * Histories     * Journal articles [depending on the discipline, they can be primary]     * Magazine and newspaper articles [this distinction varies by discipline]     * Textbooks [also considered tertiary]     * Web site [also considered primary]

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• Primary vs. Secondary Sources | Difference & Examples

Primary vs. Secondary Sources | Difference & Examples

Published on 4 September 2022 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on 15 May 2023.

When you do research, you have to gather information and evidence from a variety of sources.

Primary sources provide raw information and first-hand evidence. Examples include interview transcripts, statistical data, and works of art. A primary source gives you direct access to the subject of your research.

Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers. Examples include journal articles, reviews, and academic books . A secondary source describes, interprets, or synthesises primary sources.

Primary sources are more credible as evidence, but good research uses both primary and secondary sources.

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What is a primary source, what is a secondary source, primary and secondary source examples, how to tell if a source is primary or secondary, primary vs secondary sources: which is better, frequently asked questions about primary and secondary sources.

A primary source is anything that gives you direct evidence about the people, events, or phenomena that you are researching. Primary sources will usually be the main objects of your analysis.

If you are researching the past, you cannot directly access it yourself, so you need primary sources that were produced at the time by participants or witnesses (e.g. letters, photographs, newspapers ).

If you are researching something current, your primary sources can either be qualitative or quantitative data that you collect yourself (e.g. through interviews, surveys, experiments) or sources produced by people directly involved in the topic (e.g. official documents or media texts).

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A secondary source is anything that describes, interprets, evaluates, or analyses information from primary sources. Common examples include:

• Books , articles and documentaries that synthesise information on a topic
• Synopses and descriptions of artistic works
• Encyclopaedias and textbooks that summarize information and ideas
• Reviews and essays that evaluate or interpret something

When you cite a secondary source, it’s usually not to analyse it directly. Instead, you’ll probably test its arguments against new evidence or use its ideas to help formulate your own.

Examples of sources that can be primary or secondary

A secondary source can become a primary source depending on your research question . If the person, context, or technique that produced the source is the main focus of your research, it becomes a primary source.

To determine if something can be used as a primary or secondary source in your research, there are some simple questions you can ask yourself:

• Does this source come from someone directly involved in the events I’m studying (primary) or from another researcher (secondary)?
• Am I interested in analysing the source itself (primary) or only using it for background information (secondary)?
• Does the source provide original information (primary) or does it comment upon information from other sources (secondary)?

Most research uses both primary and secondary sources. They complement each other to help you build a convincing argument. Primary sources are more credible as evidence, but secondary sources show how your work relates to existing research.

What do you use primary sources for?

Primary sources are the foundation of original research. They allow you to:

• Make new discoveries
• Provide credible evidence for your arguments
• Give authoritative information about your topic

If you don’t use any primary sources, your research may be considered unoriginal or unreliable.

What do you use secondary sources for?

Secondary sources are good for gaining a full overview of your topic and understanding how other researchers have approached it. They often synthesise a large number of primary sources that would be difficult and time-consuming to gather by yourself. They allow you to:

• Gain background information on the topic
• Support or contrast your arguments with other researchers’ ideas
• Gather information from primary sources that you can’t access directly (e.g. private letters or physical documents located elsewhere)

When you conduct a literature review , you can consult secondary sources to gain a thorough overview of your topic. If you want to mention a paper or study that you find cited in a secondary source, seek out the original source and cite it directly.

Remember that all primary and secondary sources must be cited to avoid plagiarism . You can use Scribbr’s free citation generator to do so!

Common examples of primary sources include interview transcripts , photographs, novels, paintings, films, historical documents, and official statistics.

Anything you directly analyze or use as first-hand evidence can be a primary source, including qualitative or quantitative data that you collected yourself.

Common examples of secondary sources include academic books, journal articles , reviews, essays , and textbooks.

Anything that summarizes, evaluates or interprets primary sources can be a secondary source. If a source gives you an overview of background information or presents another researcher’s ideas on your topic, it is probably a secondary source.

To determine if a source is primary or secondary, ask yourself:

• Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events you’re studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)?
• Does the source provide original information (primary), or does it summarize information from other sources (secondary)?
• Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary)?

Some types of sources are nearly always primary: works of art and literature, raw statistical data, official documents and records, and personal communications (e.g. letters, interviews ). If you use one of these in your research, it is probably a primary source.

Primary sources are often considered the most credible in terms of providing evidence for your argument, as they give you direct evidence of what you are researching. However, it’s up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate.

Always make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism .

A fictional movie is usually a primary source. A documentary can be either primary or secondary depending on the context.

If you are directly analysing some aspect of the movie itself – for example, the cinematography, narrative techniques, or social context – the movie is a primary source.

If you use the movie for background information or analysis about your topic – for example, to learn about a historical event or a scientific discovery – the movie is a secondary source.

Whether it’s primary or secondary, always properly cite the movie in the citation style you are using. Learn how to create an MLA movie citation or an APA movie citation .

Articles in newspapers and magazines can be primary or secondary depending on the focus of your research.

In historical studies, old articles are used as primary sources that give direct evidence about the time period. In social and communication studies, articles are used as primary sources to analyse language and social relations (for example, by conducting content analysis or discourse analysis ).

If you are not analysing the article itself, but only using it for background information or facts about your topic, then the article is a secondary source.

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Streefkerk, R. (2023, May 15). Primary vs. Secondary Sources | Difference & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 22 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/primary-vs-secondary-sources/

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Literature Review Basics

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The Literature

The Literature refers to the collection of scholarly writings on a topic. This includes peer-reviewed articles, books, dissertations and conference papers.

• When reviewing the literature, be sure to include major works as well as studies that respond to major works. You will want to focus on primary sources, though secondary sources can be valuable as well.

Primary Sources

The term primary source is used broadly to embody all sources that are original. P rimary sources provide first-hand information that is closest to the object of study. Primary sources vary by discipline.

• In the natural and social sciences, original reports of research found in academic journals detailing the methodology used in the research, in-depth descriptions, and discussions of the findings are considered primary sources of information.
• Other common examples of primary sources include speeches, letters, diaries, autobiographies, interviews, official reports, court records, artifacts, photographs, and drawings.  

Galvan, J. L. (2013). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences . Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.

Secondary Sources

A secondary source is a source that provides non-original or secondhand data or information. 

• Secondary sources are written about primary sources.
• Research summaries reported in textbooks, magazines, and newspapers are considered secondary sources. They typically provide global descriptions of results with few details on the methodology. Other examples of secondary sources include biographies and critical studies of an author's work.

Secondary Source. (2005). In W. Paul Vogt (Ed.), Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology. (3 rd ed., p. 291). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Weidenborner, S., & Caruso, D. (1997). Writing research papers: A guide to the process . New York: St. Martin's Press.

More Examples of Primary and Secondary Sources

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What is Secondary Research?

Secondary research, also known as a literature review , preliminary research , historical research , background research , desk research , or library research , is research that analyzes or describes prior research. Rather than generating and analyzing new data, secondary research analyzes existing research results to establish the boundaries of knowledge on a topic, to identify trends or new practices, to test mathematical models or train machine learning systems, or to verify facts and figures. Secondary research is also used to justify the need for primary research as well as to justify and support other activities. For example, secondary research may be used to support a proposal to modernize a manufacturing plant, to justify the use of newly a developed treatment for cancer, to strengthen a business proposal, or to validate points made in a speech.

The following guides, published by the library, offer more information on how to do secondary research or a literature review:

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Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources: Secondary

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Is it SECONDARY?

Books and journal articles discussing or analyzing Darwin's notes, sketches or theories in depth, are  SECONDARY sources. Secondary sources, which interpret, analyze, or otherwise filter primary, or other secondary, sources, are explained here.

Google Scholar

Use Google Scholar to find academic-quality information (articles, papers, reports) on the Web.

Secondary Sources: A Closer Look

Frequently, a source that is not a primary source is a SECONDARY source. Typically, secondary sources comment upon, analyze, or draw information from primary sources. Secondary sources can also interpret, critique, or explain primary sources. EXAMPLE:  

• Many books and journal articles have been written analyzing, interpreting, critiquing, refuting or corroborating Charles Darwin's thoughts on natural selection and the concept of evolution.
• Such books and journal articles are SECONDARY sources, like this e-book (electronic book) available at the NYIT Library: Darwin and Modern Science: Essays , A.C. Seward (Ed.).

Like this e-book about Charles Darwin and his science, a secondary source analyzes, interprets, filters, or otherwise discusses primary source material.

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Chapter Six: Reviewing the Secondary Literature / Types of Literature Reviews / Reading Like a Researcher

Reviewing the Secondary Literature

You are viewing the first edition of this textbook. a second edition is available – please visit the latest edition for updated information..

Topics discussed on this page include:

What is the Purpose of the Review?

The annotated bibliography, the literature review, what do we mean by literature, what is the scope of the review.

The literature review provides your reader of an overview of the existing research about your topic or problem. Creating the literature review involves more than gathering citations. It is a qualitative process through which you will discover what is already known about your topic, and identify the key authorities, methods, and theoretical foundations so you can begin to position your contributions within the scholarly conversation.

Further, the literature review sharpens the focus of your research and demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the scholarly conversation around your topic, which in turn helps establish your credibility as a researcher.

We suggest you begin putting your research together by making an annotated bibliography  (or  annotated list of sources ), then synthesize your research sources by looking for through lines in them (arguments, narratives, trends, etc.), then determine which type of literature review  works best for your project (we discuss these types on the following page). To help you gather annotated materials in one place, we provide a matrix tool   that helps you organize and synthesize your research. The annotated bibliography serves numerous purposes:

• It organizes your research findings in one place, and provides a handy reference while you are completing your research project.
• If you will be writing a literature review for your research project, compiling an annotated bibliography is a great first step.
• If you decide to include the annotated bibliography in your research project, it will allow readers to explore these sources on their own.

The annotated bibliography, unlike the literature review, does not need to be essayistic. To create an annotated bibliography, use either the matrix tool or write a separate paragraph for each entry. An annotated bibliography organizes sources alphabetically and explains not only a summary of each source, but also addresses the source’s credibility and explains its relevance to your research project. An example of an annotated bibliography , created by UCF student Dolores Batten, explains how her readings related to her research project (which was to develop methods for improving student writing).

Writing a literary studies research paper involves time and effort, with much of it going towards the development of a  literature review .  A literature review might fill several pages of your research paper and usually appears soon after an introduction and before you present your analysis. A literature review provides your audience with an overview of the available research about your area(s) of study, including the literary work, your theory, and methodology. The literature review demonstrates how these scholarly discussions have changed over time and it allows you to position your research in relation to research that has come before yours. Your aim is to narrate the discussion up to this point. Depending on the nature of the assignment, you may also include your critical commentary on prior research, noting among this material the weaker and stronger arguments, breakthroughs and dead ends, blind spots and opportunities, the invention of key terms and methods, mistakes as well as misreadings, and so on.

Once you have gathered the research materials you need for your literature review, you have yet another task in front of you: conducting an analysis on said research for your original contribution, which is the part where you discover and bring something new to the conversation. As the saying goes, “we are standing on the shoulders of giants.” Your job is to show a portrait to your audience of these giants and to show how your work relates to it.

Some beginning researchers try to tear down the work of other researchers in an effort to make their own work look good by comparison. It rarely works. First, it tends to make your audience justly skeptical of your claims. Second, it ignores the fact that even the mistakes, blind spots, and failures of other researchers contribute something to our knowledge. Albert Einstein didn’t trash Sir Isaac Newton by saying his theory of space was wrong and terrible and that his own theory was great by comparison. He built upon Newton’s work, showing how it could be improved. If, however, a researcher willfully set out to deceive others, then their work does not deserve such deference.

Before you begin work on your literature review, let’s discuss what we mean by “literature,” understand the purpose and scope of the review, establish criteria for selecting, organizing, and interpreting your findings, and, finally, discuss how to connect your findings to your research question.

When we use the word “literature” in the phrase “literature review,” we are not talking about literary writing such as novels, poems, and plays, but about scholarly research. Our objective is to tell the story of research up to the point when you add your own contribution. You should use this time to think about what types of information and resources you will need to complete your project. In the case of literary studies, we often start with peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly monographs (books) that can be accessed through the library catalog and subject databases. These are both essential resources, but you may need more.

For Jada’s research project about James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues,” we might also think about exploring newspapers and primary source collections related to civil rights, African American studies, and social activism. Other topics might require different types of media, data sets, case studies, etc.

More about searching for these sources will be discussed in the library resources portion. In the meantime, let’s break down the literature review a little further.

Defining the scope of your review will also help you establish criteria to determine the relevance of the sources you are finding. At this stage, you are not reading in-depth; you are taking snapshots of what has been published, identifying major concepts, theories, methodologies, and methods while identifying connections, tensions, and contradictions within what Michael Patton calls the “intellectual heritage” of your topic or problem.

This work involves building on the knowledge of others and understanding what methods, measures, and models we have inherited from previous researchers in our field.

For more about Dr. Patton’s thoughts on the literature review, watch this short video:

Video provided courtesy of the Center for Quality Research (CQR)

Before we take a look at types of reviews, here are some key Dos and Don’ts:

Strategies for Conducting Literary Research Copyright © 2021 by Barry Mauer & John Venecek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The Literature Review

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• Primary vs secondary sources: The differences explained 

Can something be both a primary and secondary source?

Research for your literature review can be categorised as either primary or secondary in nature. The simplest definition of primary sources is either original information (such as survey data) or a first person account of an event (such as an interview transcript). Whereas secondary sources are any publshed or unpublished works that describe, summarise, analyse, evaluate, interpret or review primary source materials. Secondary sources can incorporate primary sources to support their arguments.

Ideally, good research should use a combination of both primary and secondary sources. For example, if a researcher were to investigate the introduction of a law and the impacts it had on a community, he/she might look at the transcripts of the parliamentary debates as well as the parliamentary commentary and news reporting surrounding the laws at the time. 

Examples of primary and secondary sources

Primary vs secondary sources: The differences explained

Finding primary sources

• VU Special Collections  - The Special Collections at Victoria University Library are a valuable research resource. The Collections have strong threads of radical literature, particularly Australian Communist literature, much of which is rare or unique. Women and urban planning also feature across the Collections. There are collections that give you a picture of the people who donated them like Ray Verrills, John McLaren, Sir Zelman Cowen, and Ruth & Maurie Crow. Other collections focus on Australia's neighbours – PNG and Timor-Leste.
• POLICY - Sharing the latest in policy knowledge and evidence, this database supports enhanced learning, collaboration and contribution.
• Indigenous Australia  -  The Indigenous Australia database represents the collections of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Library.
• Australian Heritage Bibliography - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Subset (AHB-ATSIS)  - AHB is a bibliographic database that indexes and abstracts articles from published and unpublished material on Australia's natural and cultural environment. The AHB-ATSIS subset contains records that specifically relate to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.include journal articles, unpublished reports, books, videos and conference proceedings from many different sources around Australia. Emphasis is placed on reports written or commissioned by government and non-government heritage agencies throughout the country.
• ATSIhealth  - The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Bibliography (ATSIhealth), compiled by Neil Thomson and Natalie Weissofner at the School of Indigenous Australian Studies, Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University, is a bibliographic database that indexes published and unpublished material on Australian Indigenous health. Source documents include theses, unpublished articles, government reports, conference papers, abstracts, book chapters, books, discussion and working papers, and statistical documents. 
• National Archive of Australia  - The National Archives of Australia holds the memory of our nation and keeps vital Australian Government records safe. 
• National Library of Australia: Manuscripts  - Manuscripts collection that is wide ranging and provides rich evidence of the lives and activities of Australians who have shaped our society.
• National Library of Australia: Printed ephemera  - The National Library has been selectively collecting Australian printed ephemera since the early 1960s as a record of Australian life and social customs, popular culture, national events, and issues of national concern.
• National Library of Australia: Oral history and folklore - The Library’s Oral History and Folklore Collection dates back to the 1950’s and includes a rich and diverse collection of interviews and recordings with Australians from all walks of life.
• Historic Hansard - Commonwealth of Australia parliamentary debates presented in an easy-to-read format for historians and other lovers of political speech.
• The Old Bailey Online - A fully searchable edition of the largest body of texts detailing the lives of non-elite people ever published, containing 197,745 criminal trials held at London's central criminal court.

Whether or not a source can be considered both primary and  secondary, depends on the context. In some instances, material may act as a secondary source for one research area, and as a primary source for another. For example, Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince , published in 1513, is an important secondary source for any study of the various Renaissance princes in the Medici family; but the same book is also a primary source for the political thought that was characteristic of the sixteenth century because it reflects the attitudes of a person living in the 1500s.

Source: Craver, 1999, as cited in University of South Australia Library. (2021, Oct 6).  Can something be a primary and secondary source?.  University of South Australia Library. https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/historycultural/sourcetypes

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Chapter 3: Writing About Literature

Distinguish between primary and secondary sources, 1. introduction.

Whether conducting research in the social sciences, humanities (especially history), arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential. Basically, this distinction illustrates the degree to which the author of a piece is removed from the actual event being described, informing the reader as to whether the author is reporting impressions first hand (or is first to record these immediately following an event), or conveying the experiences and opinions of others—that is, second hand .

2. Primary Sources

These are contemporary accounts of an event, written by someone who experienced or witnessed the event in question. These original documents (i.e., they are not about another document or account) are often diaries, letters, memoirs, journals, speeches, manuscripts, interviews and other such unpublished works. They may also include published pieces such as newspaper or magazine articles (as long as they are written soon after the fact and not as historical accounts), photographs, audio or video recordings, research reports in the natural or social sciences, or original literary or theatrical works.

3. Secondary Sources

The function of these is to interpret primary sources , and so can be described as at least one step removed from the event or phenomenon under review. Secondary source materials, then, interpret, assign value to, conjecture upon, and draw conclusions about the events reported in primary sources. These are usually in the form of published works such as journal articles or books, but may include radio or television documentaries, or conference proceedings.

4. Defining Questions

When evaluating primary or secondary sources, the following questions might be asked to help ascertain the nature and value of material being considered:

• How does the author know these details (names, dates, times)? Was the author present at the event or soon on the scene?
• Where does this information come from—personal experience, eyewitness accounts, or reports written by others?
• Are the author’s conclusions based on a single piece of evidence, or have many sources been taken into account (e.g., diary entries, along with third-party eyewitness accounts, impressions of contemporaries, newspaper accounts)?

Ultimately, all source materials of whatever type must be assessed critically and even the most scrupulous and thorough work is viewed through the eyes of the writer/interpreter. This must be taken into account when one is attempting to arrive at the ‘truth’ of an event.

• Distinguish Between Primary and Secondary Sources. Provided by : University of California Santa Cruz University Library. Located at : http://guides.library.ucsc.edu/primarysecondary . License : Public Domain: No Known Copyright

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Biology: Primary and Secondary Literature

Primary sources are different in the sciences than other areas of study. The question to ask to determine if a source is primary or secondary in science is, "Did the authors of this paper collect the data?" There are several clues to answer this question. 

Primary source —the work represents original research

Secondary source —the work reflects on, synthesizes, or reviews the research of others. 

Clues that the article is a primary source: 

• Analyzes the data collected by the authors. 
• Abstract may include phrases like "we observed," "we collected samples," etc. 
• Usually includes a methods section. 
• Will include a review of past work by others, but this is meant to provide context for original data collection and analysis. 

Clues that the article is a secondary source: 

• Describes the work of other scientists.
• Title or abstract includes the terms  review ,  literature review , or  meta-analysis . 
• May not include a methods section. 

The article below is a secondary source, not only because it says "review" in the title, but also because the article mentions it is a survey of other articles. 

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• How it works

Using Secondary Sources to Support Your Argument

Published by Alvin Nicolas at October 12th, 2023 , Revised On October 12, 2023

In research and writing, sources are the pillars that support arguments, elucidate ideas, and provide context. Among these, secondary sources emerge as an essential component, bridging the raw data or first-hand accounts with comprehensive interpretations and analyses. Paraphrasing in sources is often needed to incorporate these secondary sources effectively. So, what exactly is a secondary source?

What is a Secondary Source?

A secondary source refers to any material that interprets, analyses, or reviews information originally presented elsewhere. Unlike primary sources, which offer direct evidence or first-hand testimony, secondary sources work on those original materials, offering commentary, critiques, and perspectives. How to integrate sources into your writing is a skill that researchers must develop to maintain the original intent and context of their sources. Think of primary sources as the eyewitnesses of an event and secondary sources as the historians, journalists, or critics who later write about it.

The role of secondary sources is not merely supplementary. They hold immense significance in various forms of writing:

Academic Writing

Scholars frequently use secondary sources to provide context, ground their research in existing knowledge, and showcase ongoing conversations in a field. For instance, a researcher studying the effects of a new educational policy might consult journal articles or books that discuss previous policies or the historical background of education reforms.

While first-hand accounts and direct sources are crucial, journalists also rely on secondary sources to give depth to their stories. They might quote expert analyses, cite prior reporting on the issue, or provide background information using secondary sources.

Other Writing Forms

Whether in business reports, legal briefs, or even fiction writing, secondary sources can offer context, validate points, and enhance the richness of the content. For instance, a historical novelist might use books or articles written by historians as secondary sources to ensure the accuracy of the period they are depicting.

The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources

Research, whether academic, journalistic, or personal projects, often involves delving into a diverse range of materials. At the forefront of this are primary and secondary sources, each with its unique characteristics and roles. Understanding the distinction between these two is vital for any researcher, as it enables them to evaluate and effectively use their resources critically.

Primary Sources: The First-Hand Accounts

• Definition: Primary sources are original, uninterpreted records or first-hand testimonies of an event, experience, concept, or time period.
• Characteristics: They are direct, unaltered, and often without any commentary or analysis.
• Examples: Diaries, letters, photographs, raw survey data, original research studies, artefacts, interviews, and official documents such as birth certificates or treaties.

Secondary Sources: The Interpreters and Analysers

• Definition: Secondary sources, as the name implies, are one step removed from primary sources. They interpret, analyse, discuss, or evaluate primary sources or events.
• Characteristics: They provide commentary, place events or findings in context, or offer a perspective on primary materials.

Example of Secondary Source

Here are a few secondary source examples for review.

• Books: Many academic and non-fiction books (that are not direct testimonies) fall into this category. For instance, a book analysing the causes and effects of World War II is a secondary source, while a soldier’s diary from the war front is primary.
• Journal Articles: Research articles that review or discuss original research or articles that provide overviews of topics are secondary sources.
• Reviews: This can range from book reviews in literary journals to film critiques in popular magazines.
• Historical Commentaries: Works that interpret or analyse historical events.
• Documentaries: While they may use primary source material (like footage or interviews), the final produced piece, which provides an interpretation or perspective, is secondary.
• Bibliographies might compile and provide context for primary and other secondary sources.
• Encyclopedias and Handbooks: They offer overviews and summaries of topics, often based on primary and other secondary sources.

Benefits of Using Secondary Sources

While primary sources offer raw data, secondary sources build on this foundation, interpreting and analysing the available information. The advantage of information literacy lies in the ability to discern which secondary source adds value to your research:

1. Lends Credibility to Your Argument

• Expert Analysis: Secondary sources often come from experts in the field, such as scholars, historians, or professionals. Their insights can lend gravitas to your argument, showcasing that it aligns with or challenges recognised authority.
• Cross-referencing: When multiple secondary sources support your viewpoint, it can bolster the credibility of your claims. Such cross-referencing demonstrates comprehensive research.

2. Offers a Comprehensive View of the Topic

• Broad Perspective: Whereas primary sources might provide a narrow or specific account, secondary sources can give a panoramic view of a topic, presenting an overarching narrative.
• Synthesis of Information: Secondary sources often synthesise a vast array of primary data, offering readers a consolidated understanding. This can be especially beneficial when navigating complex topics.

3. Provides Context and Background

• Historical and Cultural Setting: Understanding the backdrop against which certain events occurred, or concepts evolved, is crucial. Secondary sources offer this contextual framework, situating primary data within broader historical, cultural, or academic narratives.
• Linking to Pre-existing Knowledge: Secondary sources can connect new findings or ideas to existing theories, debates, or research paradigms, ensuring that your argument is rooted in established knowledge.

4. Allows for Comparison and Contrast with Other Viewpoints

• Diverse Perspectives: Secondary sources can provide various perspectives on a topic. By exploring these, you can contrast your own stance with others, demonstrating a holistic understanding.
• Highlighting Gaps or Controversies: Engaging with multiple secondary sources might reveal discrepancies, gaps, or areas of contention in the field. Addressing these can strengthen your argument, showing awareness of the broader discourse.
• Refining Your Position: Engaging with opposing or different viewpoints can help refine and solidify your position, leading to a more robust and nuanced argument. This approach demonstrates critical thinking , an invaluable skill in research and writing.

The research done by our experts have:

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How to Find Relevant Secondary Sources

Embarking on a research journey often feels like being a detective on the hunt for clues. Secondary sources are vital components of this quest, providing insights, interpretations, and analyses that help shape and strengthen your argument.

1. Libraries and Archives

• University and Public Libraries: These repositories house a vast collection of books, journals, periodicals, and other publications. Using the library’s online catalogue or consulting with librarians can lead you to relevant materials.
• Specialised Libraries: Institutions often have specialised libraries (e.g., law, medicine, arts) that focus on specific disciplines, offering in-depth resources.
• Archives: These are treasure troves of historical documents, newspapers, manuscripts, and more. While they predominantly hold primary sources, they also have catalogues, bibliographies, and reference sections with secondary source materials.

2. Academic Databases

• JSTOR: An extensive digital library offering journal articles, books, and primary sources across various disciplines.
• Google Scholar: A freely accessible search engine that indexes scholarly articles across numerous disciplines. It also offers citation metrics and links to related articles.
• Other Databases: Depending on your field, platforms like PubMed (for medicine), IEEE Xplore (for electronics and electrical engineering), PsycINFO (for psychology), and many others can be invaluable.

3. Professional Publications

• Journals: Subject-specific journals (both print and online) publish articles, reviews, and commentaries pertinent to their field. Look for the leading journals in your discipline.
• Magazines: Professional magazines might offer articles, reviews, and features relevant to certain industries or areas of interest.
• Reports and Whitepapers: Many professional organisations, think tanks, and research bodies release reports and whitepapers that discuss specific issues, trends, or findings in-depth.

4. Recommendations from Experts in the Field

• Academic Advisers and Professors: If you’re in academia, your advisers, professors, or faculty members can provide recommendations based on their expertise and familiarity with the literature.
• Conferences and Seminars: Attend presentations, workshops, or panel discussions. Presenters often reference key works in the field. You can also network with attendees for recommendations.
• Citation Tracking: Review the bibliographies or reference lists of key articles or books you’ve already identified. This “snowball” method can lead you to additional relevant sources.
• Online Forums and Academic Networks: Websites like ResearchGate or Academia.edu, or even subject-specific forums, allow researchers to discuss works, share resources, and ask for recommendations.

Pro Tips for Using Secondary Sources in Arguments

• As you uncover sources, keep a log or database. Note down the source details, its relevance, and any pertinent insights. Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can assist in managing your references and source citing , ensuring that you give proper credit to the original authors.
• Remember, purchasing every book or article can be expensive. Explore interlibrary loans, online access, or institutional subscriptions.

How to Evaluate the Credibility of Secondary Sources

Source evaluation is a fundamental step to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information you gather:

Checking the Author’s Credentials and Expertise

Investigate the author’s educational background and professional experience. An expert in nuclear physics might not be the most credible author for a historical analysis, and vice versa.

Established authors often have a consistent track record of publications in reputable journals or with esteemed publishers.

Furthermore, being affiliated with a respected academic or research institution can bolster an author’s credibility. Ensure the author does not have clear biases or vested interests that might skew their interpretations.

Analysing the Publication Source

Established publishers and peer-reviewed journals maintain rigorous standards, ensuring the credibility of their publications. Moreover, sources that have undergone a thorough editorial or peer-review process are generally more reliable.

Positive feedback or endorsements from experts in the field can bolster a source’s credibility.

Considering the Publication Date (Relevance and Timeliness)

• Current vs. Outdated: Depending on your topic, more recent publications might offer the latest insights, research, or interpretations. However, older seminal works can still be critical in certain fields.
• Historical Context: Some older sources can provide valuable historical perspectives, even if they aren’t current.
• Editions and Updates: Updated or revised editions of books or articles suggest that the content has been reviewed and refined over time.

Cross-referencing with Other Credible Sources

If multiple credible sources offer similar interpretations or findings, it increases the likelihood of the information being accurate. Credible secondary sources also often address opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, ensuring a holistic analysis. A well-researched source will cite its references, allowing you to track the primary and other secondary sources that informed its content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 7 secondary sources.

• Books (e.g., biographies)
• Journal articles
• Encyclopedias
• Documentaries
• Historical interpretations

What are secondary sources also called?

Secondary sources, which interpret, analyse, or summarise primary sources, are also often referred to as “interpretive sources” or “commentary sources.” They provide a second-hand account of events, subjects, or phenomena and offer an analysis or commentary on the information derived from primary sources or other secondary references.

What is secondary source and examples?

A secondary source interprets, analyses, or summarises primary sources. These are often accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. Examples include textbooks, book reviews, journal articles, essays, encyclopedias, documentaries, and historical interpretations. They provide insight into the interpretation of original events or data.

How to use secondary source for the arguments?

• Identify reputable sources that discuss your topic.
• Extract relevant information or perspectives.
• Paraphrase or quote directly, ensuring proper citation.
• Integrate into your argument, comparing or contrasting with other views.
• Use consistently to maintain credibility and avoid plagiarism.

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