Understanding the Nature of Your Sources: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary

A comprehensive understanding of the nature of your sources is crucial for any scholarly writing. This guide will help you distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, providing clear definitions, examples, and criteria to ensure your research is based on accurate and reliable information.

The Importance of Source Identification

The best way to identify the sources of any scholarly writing is by using endnotes or footnotes. If an article lacks these, it may indicate questionable accuracy. Textual clues can also indicate how the author acquired the information. For instance, primary source material may include letters, journals, or notes from the individuals associated with the topic. If the author discloses the use of writings from a historic or scholarly person, it suggests the text contains primary source information.

Characteristics of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

To determine whether a source is primary, secondary, or tertiary, consider the following characteristics:

Primary Sources

Definition: Primary sources provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts of an event, experiment, or phenomenon.

Examples:

Diaries, letters, and autobiographies Original research articles reporting new findings Photographs, videos, and audio recordings Official documents like birth certificates and treaties Artworks and literary works

Secondary Sources

Definition: Secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources. They often provide context or commentary on primary materials.

Examples:

Biographies Journal articles reviewing or critiquing original research History books Documentaries that analyze events Reviews of literature or films

Tertiary Sources

Definition: Tertiary sources are compilations or distillations of primary and secondary sources. They provide an overview or summary of a topic.

Examples:

Encyclopedias Textbooks Almanacs Databases and bibliographies

How to Identify the Type of Source

Context

Consider the purpose of the source:

Is it presenting original research (primary)? Is it analyzing or interpreting that research (secondary)? Is it summarizing information from various sources (tertiary)?

Content

Look at the content:

Does it provide new data or discuss someone else's data?

Authorship

Check who created the source:

Primary sources are often created by those directly involved in the events. Secondary and tertiary sources are typically created by others who analyze or summarize the information.

By applying these criteria, you can effectively classify sources as primary, secondary, or tertiary, ensuring a robust and reliable basis for your scholarly work.

References

Recommended reading includes the Wikipedia policy which describes the characteristics of each type. Additionally, although they are part of a rejected proposal, the definitions of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources at Wikipedia might be similarly helpful for a clearer understanding.