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BIOL131: General Biology II: Primary & Secondary Sources

What are primary sources for science research?

Primary sources in the sciences are those created by original research conducted by scientists, usually published in scholarly and peer-reviewed journals, that result in the collection of data.  Data itself whether collected through research or through a government body is also a primary source.  Some features of these journal articles include:

  • participants/patients
  • materials
  • methods and procedures
  • results and conclusion

Examples

Where to Find Primary Sources?

What are secondary sources for science research?

Secondary sources for the sciences are those that review and analyze research or summarize a topic.  Review articles will look at research done in a field and present their own conclusions about what this research means.  Some simply summarize a condition or topic.

Examples include:

  • Scholarly and Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles written by scientists classified as
    • Review Articles
    • Systematic Reviews
    • Meta-Analyses
  • Government publications or reports
  • Textbooks
  • Books
  • Guidelines and Standards
  • Newspapers and Magazines written by journalists

Where to Find Secondary Sources?

Contact

James A. Cannavino Library

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Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 575-3106

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