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What is a Source?

Sources in a research paper or homework assignment are materials that provide the researcher with information. These sources can be books, journals, videos, internet sites, films and/or images.

What are Sources?

Types of Sources: Books - Provide in-depth, detailed coverage and background information. Articles from academic / scholarly / peer-reviewed journals - Provide information that is up-to-date and highly specific for scholars, researchers, and professionals. Articles from trade publications - Provide information targeted to professionals in a particular industry. Articles from popular magazines - Provide broad summaries of research or issues on a topic for a general audience. Articles from newspapers - Provide up-to-date, national and regional information on a current topic. Internet sources - Can be useful for a variety of information needs, but each website will require critical evaluation.

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Why we use sources?

  • To show that our writings do not rely on personal opinion
  • To show how we found our sources and how we formed our own conclusions
  • To show our ability to use the information in our paper by organizing it in central points, arguments or sections
  • To allow our reader to follow up references we used so they can learn and further explore more
  • To allow the reader to evaluate the ideas and information we are presenting
  • To avoid plagiarism
Primary vs Secondary Sources

What are primary sources?

A primary source is a first-hand account of an event or topic. They are the most direct evidence of a time or event because they were  created by people or things that were there at the time or event. 

What are secondary sources?

A secondary source is anything that describes, interprets, evaluates, or analyzes information from a primary source. 

"To determine if something can be used as a primary or secondary source in your research, there are some simple questions you can ask yourself:

  • Does this source come from someone directly involved in the events I’m studying (primary) or from another researcher (secondary)?
  • Am I interested in analyzing the source itself (primary) or only using it for background information (secondary)?
  • Does the source provide original information (primary) or does it comment upon information from other sources (secondary)?"

Source: Scribbr

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