It is important to understand where in the cycle you are getting the information and the characteristics of each type of resource.
Primary sources present original research such as a study by those who carried it out. Examples include research articles in scholarly journals. (example)
Secondary sources summarize, reinterpret, reanalyze, or discuss information from primary sources. Examples include review articles in scholarly journals, magazine articles, news articles, and books. (example)
Tertiary sources digest and condense information from primary and secondary sources. Examples include encyclopedias, textbooks, and web pages. (example)
Findings reported in the media can often be traced back to a scientific paper.
Source: Kipnis, D. (2021, August 5). Where the news comes from: Cycle of scientific literature. Rowan
University Campbell Library. https://libguides.rowan.edu/c.php?g=237523&p=2220083
Source: Cham, J. (2021, August 6). Science news cycle. ComSciCon. https://twitter.com/comscicon/status/1423709106343497739
Ask a question to get help from a librarian with researching a topic and citing your sources.
Schedule an appointment to get help from a librarian with researching a topic and citing your sources.