Types of Information

Sources

What types of information sources are

available?
Types of Information Sources
 Primary Sources
 Secondary Sources
 What are Primary
Sources?

Primary sources are original documents or original works.

Primary sources are produced at the time of an event,
without interpretation or commentary
Examples of Primary Sources
 Books/Monographs*  Letters
 Journal articles *  Photographs
 Magazine articles *  Theses
 Newspaper articles *  Poems
 Internet resources *  Patents
 Reports *

* Can be primary or
secondary
 What are Secondary
Sources?

Secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze

primary sources. Secondary sources are further removed
from the events described or mentioned in primary
sources.
Examples of Secondary Sources
 Biographies  Review Articles
 Books/Monographs  Textbooks
 Electronic Databases  Any Index
 Dictionaries  Any Bibliography Used
 Encyclopedias to Locate Primary
 Histories Sources
 Handbooks
 Primary vs. Secondary
Primary Source Secondary Source

Art Original Artwork Article critiquing

the piece of art
Engineering Patent Derwent Patents
Index
History Original U.S. Book about the
Constitution Constitution
Science Original journal Biological
article Abstracts
Selection

How do I select the right source?

 Selection depends on your topic, the
type of information you need, and
what is available.
If you need … You might try …

Current information Newspaper or WWW

Scholarly articles Journal

Popular interest articles Magazine

Lots of organized information Book or encyclopedia

To find article citations Index or database

Use a Book
 When looking for lots of information on a topic
 To put your topic in context with other
important issues
 To find historical information
 To find summaries of research to support an
argument
Use an Encyclopedia
 When looking for background information on
a topic
 When trying to find key ideas, important dates
or concepts
Two Types of Encyclopedias
 General Encyclopedias – provide concise
overviews on a wide range of topics
 Subject-Specific Encyclopedias – contain in-
depth information focusing on one field of
study.
Characteristics of General and
Subject-Specific Encyclopedias
 Encyclopedia articles give background
information.
 Encyclopedia articles usually include
bibliographies (works cited).
 Encyclopedia articles provide information to
help you narrow your topic.
Use a Handbook
 For finding factual information to answer
specific questions. Also, you can use a
handbook to verify data or solve problems in
a subject area.
Use a Journal
 When doing scholarly research
 To find out what has been studied on your
topic
 To find bibliographies that point to other
relevant research
Use a Magazine
 To find information or opinions about popular
culture
 To find up-to-date information about current
events
 To find general articles for people who are not
necessarily specialists about the topic
Use a Newspaper
 To find current information about
international, national and local events
 To find editorials, commentaries, expert or
popular opinions
Use a Database or Index
 When you want to find articles on your topic
in magazines, journals, or newspapers
Use the WWW
 To find current information
 AT YOUR OWN RISK!