The definition of a primary source depends upon the discipline and on how one is using the source.
Usually, a primary source is a direct, first-hand account of an event. It is usually something that was created at the time of an event, or shortly thereafter. Within the context of Psychology, primary sources often refer to original research articles, usually referred to as empirical studies. These articles present the results of research, study, or experimentation, by the researchers who conducted it. This research usually appears in peer-reviewed journals. Other examples include:
A secondary source would be something that interprets, analyzes, or remarks upon a primary source. Examples include:
A tertiary source is further removed from a primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source.
To determine if you are looking at original research you should look for clues within the article.
Read the abstract of an article and look for statements like:
Also look to see what the headings within the paper are. Original research is often presented in a standard format. Typically they include an abstract, a methods section, discussion, a conclusion and a bibliography.
| Abstract | A brief summary (usually under 250 words) of the article. It will contain the research question, an outline of the methodology and findings. It is provided so that readers examining the article can decide quickly whether the article meets their needs. |
| Keywords | Keywords are selected by the authors of the paper to help researchers find their papers. These are not always included, however, if they are take note of them to inform your own search strategy! |
| Introduction | Background information about the topic or problem the authors researched, the goal of the study and its relevance or importance. This section may include a brief literature review, however, these are sometimes in their own sections. |
| Materials / Methods | Description of the step-by-step directions for the study. Describes who was involved, set-up, and how data was collected. |
| Results / Findings | Presentation of the data from the study. This section often includes tables, charts, or other visualizations of the data. It is the answer to the research question. |
| Discussion | Analysis of the data and how the study relates to existing knowledge of the topic. The authors evaluate whether their results answer their research question. |
| Conclusion | The authors wrap up the article by discussion how their study contributes to the research on this topic, limitations to their work, and finally, outline future potential research questions or studies. |
| References / Works Cited / Bibliography | List of resources that the authors consulted when developing their research. As you read this page, be sure to look for sources that look like they will help you to answer your own research question. |