Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources

Summary

This video from the Australian National University Library clarifies the distinction between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources in research. Primary sources offer first-hand evidence and original thinking, such as Marie Curie's lab notebook. Secondary sources analyze or restate primary sources, like newspaper articles, and are persuasive. Tertiary sources, including encyclopedias and Wikipedia, synthesize information without new insights. Context can blur source classifications, as a political speech can be both a primary historical event and a secondary persuasive text. The video emphasizes the importance of proper citation to avoid plagiarism and encourages seeking guidance from the library.

Takeaways

• 📚 Primary sources are first-hand evidence or original research in any discipline, considered authoritative and credible.
• 🔍 Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or restate primary sources, and are considered persuasive, often including newspaper articles and textbooks.
• 📘 Tertiary sources compile information from both primary and secondary sources without presenting new information or analysis, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The categorization of a source as primary, secondary, or tertiary can depend on the context of its use and the discipline it pertains to.
• 🎨 In arts and social sciences, a painting could be a primary source, a book about the artist a secondary source, and an encyclopedia entry a tertiary source.
• 🌌 In science, a research paper like 'Supernovae, the Accelerating Cosmos, and Dark Energy' is a primary source, while an article discussing it is secondary.
• 📉 A source can be both primary and secondary, or even tertiary, depending on the context in which it is used.
• 📽 Documentaries, reviews, and essays can be primary in one context and secondary in another, illustrating the fluid nature of source categorization.
• 📝 It's crucial to cite sources correctly whether you quote, paraphrase, or synthesize to avoid plagiarism.
• ❓ If unsure about the categorization of a source, consulting with a lecturer or supervisor is recommended.
• 📚 The ANU Library offers extensive support, including online materials and guides, to assist with research and understanding of sources.

Q & A

What are the three types of sources discussed in the video?

The video discusses primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.

Why are primary sources considered more credible?

Primary sources are considered more credible because they provide first-hand evidence or original thinking, reports on discoveries, and events, and are generally authoritative.

Can you give an example of a primary source in the context of science?

An example of a primary source in science would be the first-time an experiment is conducted or a lab notebook like Marie Curie's, which is still radioactive.

What is the role of secondary sources in research?

Secondary sources provide analysis, interpretation, or a restatement of primary sources. They help to build a convincing argument by showing how your work relates to existing research.

How are tertiary sources different from secondary sources?

Tertiary sources, like secondary sources, include both primary and secondary sources, but they do not present any new information or offer an analysis of the information sources.

What is an example of a tertiary source?

Examples of tertiary sources include some textbooks, abstracts, reference works like dictionaries, bibliographies, encyclopedias, and even Wikipedia.

Can a source be considered more than one type depending on the context?

Yes, a source can be primary in one context and secondary in another, or it can be both secondary and tertiary, depending on the individual context and how it is framed.

What are some examples of grey areas where a source can be different depending on the context?

Examples include a speech or tweet by a political figure, documentaries about World War II, reviews and essays about Anita Heiss's novels, and newspaper articles about economic policies.

Why is it important to cite sources in research?

Citing sources is important to avoid plagiarism and to give credit to the original authors. It also helps readers trace the origins of the information used in the research.

What should a researcher do if they are unsure about the type of a source or how to cite it?

If a researcher is unsure about the type of a source or how to cite it, they should check with their lecturer or supervisor. They can also reach out to the ANU Library for support and guidance.

How can the ANU Library assist researchers in their work?

The ANU Library can assist researchers by providing an extensive collection of online materials, guides, and support services. They encourage researchers to subscribe to their channel for more informative videos.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

This paragraph introduces the Australian National University Library's video on the differentiation between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. It emphasizes the importance of these sources in research, stating that they complement each other to build a convincing argument. Primary sources are highlighted as more credible evidence, exemplified by Marie Curie's lab notebook. The paragraph further explains that primary sources provide first-hand accounts or original thinking, while secondary sources offer analysis or interpretation of primary sources, with examples like newspaper articles and textbooks. Tertiary sources are described as including both primary and secondary sources but do not present new information or analysis, with examples such as encyclopedias and Wikipedia. The paragraph also discusses the context-dependent nature of source categorization and provides examples of how a source can be primary in one context and secondary in another.

05:03

📝 Citation and Seeking Assistance for Source Usage

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of proper citation when using primary, secondary, or tertiary sources to avoid plagiarism. It advises students to consult with their lecturers or supervisors if they have doubts about the categorization or usage of sources. The paragraph promotes the resources available at the ANU Library, including an extensive online collection and guides, and encourages students to subscribe for updates. It assures students that the library is ready to provide support and help with any specific assistance they might need, emphasizing the library's role as a helpful resource.

Keywords

💡Primary Sources

Primary sources are original, first-hand accounts or evidence related to a specific event, time period, or subject. They are considered authoritative because they represent original thinking or reports on discoveries. In the video, examples include Marie Curie's lab notebook and a soldier's journal from World War I. These sources are foundational in research, as they provide the raw material that secondary and tertiary sources analyze or summarize.

💡Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are materials that interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources. They provide context and analysis, often aiming to persuade or offer a particular viewpoint. In the video, newspaper articles and some textbooks are mentioned as examples of secondary sources. These sources are crucial for understanding how primary evidence fits into the broader field of study.

💡Tertiary Sources

Tertiary sources compile information from primary and secondary sources without providing new insights or analysis. Examples mentioned in the video include encyclopedias, abstracts, and some textbooks. These sources are helpful for quickly understanding a topic but are not used to develop new arguments or present original research.

💡Authority

Authority in the context of sources refers to the credibility and reliability of the information. Primary sources are typically seen as more authoritative because they offer direct evidence. However, secondary sources are also considered credible when they effectively interpret primary data. The video emphasizes that while primary sources are generally seen as the most authoritative, the context in which they are used can affect this perception.

💡Context

Context refers to the circumstances or setting in which a source is used, which can affect its classification as primary, secondary, or tertiary. The video highlights that the same source can be primary in one context and secondary in another. For example, a documentary could be a secondary source when analyzing historical events, but a primary source when studying filmmaking techniques.

💡Analysis

Analysis is the process of examining, interpreting, and breaking down information from primary sources to develop a deeper understanding or argument. Secondary sources often provide analysis of primary data. In the video, analysis is presented as a key function of secondary sources, which helps to place primary evidence within a broader research context.

💡Research

Research involves the systematic investigation of sources to establish facts, reach new conclusions, or develop new insights. The video explains that effective research often uses a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, each playing a unique role in building a comprehensive and convincing argument.

💡Historical Documentation

Historical documentation refers to primary sources that provide first-hand accounts of past events, such as journals, letters, or official records. The video gives the example of a World War I soldier’s journal as a primary source in historical research. Such documents are crucial for understanding history from the perspective of those who lived it.

💡Persuasion

Persuasion in the context of sources refers to the intention of secondary sources to convince the reader of a particular interpretation or viewpoint. The video notes that secondary sources are often persuasive, as they interpret primary data to support a specific argument or conclusion.

💡Citation

Citation is the practice of properly crediting the sources used in research to avoid plagiarism and provide evidence for claims. The video stresses the importance of citing primary, secondary, and tertiary sources correctly, regardless of how they are used, to maintain academic integrity.

Highlights

Explanation of the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.

Primary sources are considered more credible in terms of evidence.

Primary sources are ground-level, first-hand evidence for any discipline.

Marie Curie's lab notebook is an example of a primary source but is still radioactive and cannot be handled.

Primary sources can include original thinking, reports on discoveries, and new information.

Secondary sources provide analysis, interpretation, or a restatement of primary sources.

Examples of secondary sources include newspaper articles and some textbooks.

Tertiary sources do not present new information or analyze information sources.

Examples of tertiary sources include some textbooks, abstracts, and reference works like dictionaries, bibliographies, and encyclopedias.

The classification of sources can vary depending on the context and discipline.

A speech or tweet by a prominent political figure can be considered a primary source in one context and secondary in another.

Documentaries can be secondary sources when researching historical events but primary sources when studying filmmaking techniques.

Magazine reviews can be secondary sources for literary analysis or primary sources for studying critical reception.

Newspaper articles can be secondary sources when analyzing policies or primary sources when studying media coverage.

The ANU Library offers online materials and guides to support research, and students can seek assistance as needed.

Transcripts

This is the Australian National University Library

and this video will explain the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary sources.

Most research uses primary, secondary and tertiary sources.

They complement each other and help to build a convincing argument.

Primary sources are typically considered more credible in terms of evidence

but secondary and tertiary sources show how your work relates to existing research.

Let's break down the differences

starting with primary sources. This is ground level, first-hand evidence for any discipline.

Marie Curie's lab notebook is an excellent example of a primary source.

But it literally cannot be handled as it is still massively radioactive.

Sources that provide a first-hand account of an event or a time period are typically primary.

In science this is often the first time an experiment is conducted

but primary sources don't have to be scientific.

In history, this can be a journal from a soldier in the first world war.

Primary source material can also represent original thinking

reports on discoveries and events or they may share new information.

And finally they are considered to be authoritative, for the most part. I’ll get to that in a minute.

The next is secondary sources.

This is any material created using primary sources.

Secondary source materials provide analysis, interpretation or a restatement of primary sources.

Newspaper articles and some textbooks are examples of secondary sources.

While primary sources are considered authoritative, secondary sources are considered to be persuasive.

Unfortunately what constitutes a primary or a secondary source is not absolute.

It depends on the information it contains, how you are going to use it and the discipline you are studying.

We will talk about this more in a minute.

Finally tertiary sources.

These are similar to secondary sources in that they include both primary and secondary sources

but the difference is that they do not present any new information, nor do they offer an analysis of information sources.

Examples of tertiary source material could include some textbooks, abstracts

and most reference works like dictionaries, bibliographies and encyclopedias.

Even, shock horror, Wikipedia.

Now primary, secondary and tertiary sources can look different depending on your discipline.

In arts and social sciences, a primary source could be a painting by indigenous Australian artist, Rover Thomas.

a secondary source could be a book about Rover Thomas and his work.

A tertiary source could be an encyclopedia entry about either Rover Thomas or referencing the book written about him.

In science a primary source could be the 2012 paper

'Supernovae, the Accelerating Cosmos, and Dark Energy' by Brian Schmidt and Thierry Montmerle

A secondary source could be an article discussing this research

while a tertiary source could consist of an abstract that describes the paper's findings, but provides no additional analysis.

Tertiary sources do not analyse the sources to create new information and that is a key difference.

Then there is the difficult question: can a source be more than one type?

The answer is yes, but annoyingly this can be different depending on your individual context.

Consider a speech or even a tweet by a prominent political figure.

You could consider this a secondary source, right?

Yes, it is persuasive and let's be honest not always brimming with facts

but the speech itself happened as a moment in history making it a primary source in that context.

So yes, a source can be primary in one context and secondary in another

or a source can be both secondary and tertiary.

But should you quote the Prime Minister's tweet as scientific fact?

Probably best not to.

It can be used as a primary source in politics, history or advertising depending on how it is framed.

Here are three examples of those grey areas where a source can be different depending on the context.

Documentaries. When you are researching the causes of World War two,

a recent documentary about the war is considered a secondary source.

But if you are researching the filmmaking techniques used in

historical documentaries, then the documentary itself is a primary source.

Reviews and essays. If your paper is about the novels of Anita Heiss

a magazine review of one of her novels is a secondary source.

but if your paper is about the critical reception of Anita Heiss's work, then the review is actually a primary source itself.

Then there are newspaper articles. If your aim is to analyse a government's economic policy,

a newspaper article about a new policy is a secondary source

but if your aim is to analyse media coverage of economic issues,

the newspaper article is a primary source.

So remember whether you directly quote, paraphrase, or synthesise a primary, secondary or tertiary source,

make sure you cite it to avoid plagiarism.

If you're still in doubt, it's always best to check with your lecturer or supervisor

And don't forget the ANU Library is here to help

We have an amazing collection of online materials and loads of guides available to support you

Just click the subscribe button so you never miss a video

Having trouble or need some specific assistance?

If in doubt, just reach out

You can always contact the ANU Library for support

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