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Research Help: Types of Sources

Tips for researching effectively at your library.

Sources

There are many different types of sources that have information.  Knowing the when of your topic may help you determine which resources will give you the most information.

As well, it's important to know that different types of information show up in different sources.

Information Cycle

Primary and Secondary Sources

Sometimes a research assignment may require that you use Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary sources. By learning which is which, you will be able recognize if the author is reporting on his/her own first hand experiences or relying on the views of others

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Source Defintion and Examples
Source Type Examples

Primary

A first-person account written by someone who experienced or witnessed an event.
  • Journal/Diary
  • Letters
  • Historical documents, e.g., the Constitution
  • Speech/lecture
  • Artwork
  • First publication of a scientific study

Secondary

In this case, the work is a retelling or examination of an event.  It interprets and forms conclusions based on the information found in the primary source.
  • Newspaper report on a study
  • Review of a movie, art, or Broadway show
  • Biography

Tertiary

This type of source points you to primary and secondary sources.
  • Bibliography
  • Index to articles
  • Library catalog

 

Types of Sources