Through the various courses I have taken, I have learned the variety and importance of peer-reviewed articles, all of which contribute greatly to fields of research. Peer-reviewed publications are specifically given the title and credibility of being ‘peer-reviewed’ when they have been through rigorous processing of analysis and editing by other experts with equal knowledge of the topic the paper focuses on. This process ensures any errors or miscommunication is caught to make sure that all information being processed and published is accurate and well written.
The three different types of peer-reviewed articles differ between the type of information being published and the sources that it is drawn from. Specifically, primary peer-reviewed literature consists of original studies with raw data and results from an experiment conducted by the authors. This may come in the form of clinical experiments, participant-based studies, etc. In a non-scientific example, it utilizes information from the source itself, such as audio recordings, interviews and other forms of live information. Many times, to identify a primary research article, one may look for the presence of a methods section, which oftentimes symbolizes the use of the author’s own experimental protocol and points towards raw data being collected. As an example, a study conducted by Lange and Boucher (1990) focused on the Audouinia capitata plant to study its germination patterns. It was a primary article as the lab group followed an original protocol to collect their own raw results. Specifically, the researchers prepared a smoke drum through which smoke was blown into tents containing seeds from different plants. The germination of the seedlings was studied and results were recorded. Since original results are being recorded and presented, this is a primary source of information.
On the other hand, secondary sources analyze and study primary sources to better explain, connect or understand the ideas and results presented in the primary studies. Oftentimes, review articles will combine dozens of primary sources to compare and contrast the results of each to interpret the final conclusions regarding the topic. In this case, review papers must give credit to all other researchers whose papers are being analyzed and critiqued. An article by Han and Yang (2015) was produced as review literature as it brought together and reviewed a large number of primary sources to further understand the molecular mechanisms of seed germination. In this case, no original data was collected.
Lastly, tertiary peer-reviewed sources put together materials of primary and secondary levels to provide overall summaries and concise understandings of the topic. No original studies are conducted but, all information is from credible sources and analyzed to put such large amounts of information in an organized manner. Usually, these sources are seen in the forms of textbooks or study materials as they put together a variety of sources with some primary data to allow for a better understanding of the material. An example would be a plant ecology textbook, such as the one written by Shukla and Chandel (1994).
De Lange, J. H., & Boucher, C. (1990). Autecological studies on Audouinia capitata (Bruniaceae). I. Plant-derived smoke as a seed germination cue. South African Journal of Botany, 56(6), 700-703.
Han, C., & Yang, P. (2015). Studies on the molecular mechanisms of seed germination. Proteomics, 15(10), 1671-1679.
Shukla, R. S., & Chandel, P. S. (1994). A textbook of plant ecology. S. Chand Publishing.
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 