Researching a Topic

SOURCES OF INFORMATION
WHEN RESEARCHING A TOPIC
 Researching about a given topic can be a daunting task especially
when you have zero knowledge as to where to get every bit of
information you need.
 There are various ways and means to obtain needed information
including the use of print-based materials like newspapers and
magazines or through electronic sources like websites and online
databases.
 Generally, sources of information may be classified as primary,
secondary and tertiary sources. It is essential to understand these
classifications and identify which one is appropriate for your
research topic.
Primary Sources
 Primary sources of information include firsthand accounts,
raw data, and other original materials on which other
researches are based. This means that primary sources are
authentic materials and have not been subjected to
evaluation or assessment.

 This classification includes original works like poems,

diaries, court records, interviews, surveys, and original
research and research published in scholarly and/or
academic journals.
Secondary Sources
 Sources of information are classified as secondary
sources when they describe, interpret or analyze
primary sources. These are often information
written or presented by authors who did not
personally witness an event or occurrence.
 Common examples of secondary sources include
materials like textbooks, magazine articles, book
reviews, commentaries and almanacs.
Tertiary Sources
 Sources of information are considered tertiary
sources when they are used to organize and locate
primary and secondary sources. This classification
includes indexes, abstracts, bibliographies,
directories and databases.
 It is also important to understand that definitions
of each source type may vary from one context
to another.
REMEMBER!
 it is essential to take note of certain guideposts
when using information gathered for activities like
researching a topic, among others. Remember that
information should always be accurate, reliable,
up-to-date, consistent, relevant and unique.
Identify if the given item is a primary, secondary or tertiary
source. Write your answers in your notebook.
__________ 1. textbooks
__________ 2. court records
__________ 3. surveys
__________ 4. dictionaries
__________ 5. studies published in academic journals
__________ 6. magazines
__________ 7. abstracts
__________ 8. indices
__________ 9. newspapers
__________ 10. diaries