Sources of information are often categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary material and these classifications are based on the originality of the material and proximity of the sources. A professor may request specific source for the research and determining the source can be tricky. Below is a short description of the three categories of information and examples to help you decide.
Primary Sources of literature
Primary sources are materials that represent original or firsthand information that usually has not been altered. Primary sources for a science experiment, for example, would be the data collection in the experiment or research, how the research was conducted and outlines the authors’ interpretation of the work. In other words, a source that describes an original experiment or research that the authors of the articles did themselves. Key elements to identify primary source are an introduction, methods, results, and discussion/conclusion section. Examples are peer-reviewed article, lab reports, journal articles, and empirical research.
This is an example of a primary source of literature illustrating firsthand information or research based on the data collection and analysis. The article highlights the relationship between the high temperature and lower availability, climate change is likely to have a major impact on walnut production in the future.
Vahdati, K., Ali Reza, M. B., Khosh-Khui, M., Fakour, P., & Sarikhani, S. (2019). Applying the AOGCM-AR5 models to the assessments of land suitability for walnut cultivation in response to climate change: A case study of iran. PLoS One, 14(6) doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/10.1371/journal.pone.0218725
Secondary source of literature
Secondary sources analyze, review or summarize information in primary resources or other secondary sources. Secondary sources may summarize a single piece of research, provide a general overview of a topic and review a collection of research on a specific topic. In other words, a review article does not report a new data or information and primary sources can be located at the reference section. Examples includes literature review, review articles, Meta-analysis and systematic review.
This is an example of a secondary source summarizing information and providing a general overview on the devastating effects of climate change and tree health. This is an excellent example illustrating the difference on a primary and a secondary source.
Bahnson, F. (2016, 12). THE PRIEST IN THE TREES: Feral faith in the age of climate change. Harper’s Magazine, 333, 45-54. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/1853265806?accountid=15182
Tertiary source of literature
Tertiary sources summarize or synthesize the research in secondary sources or other resources and derive information from either primary or secondary sources. Encyclopedias, manuals, handbooks and bibliographies are typically considered tertiary sources.
This is an example of tertiary source and providing information based on primary and secondary sources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_and_climate_change
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 