When you write academic article, it is important that you recognize what are primary, and secondary sources.
A primary source provides first-hand information on the topic. The author personally participated in the event under discussion, such as a science experiment, a humanitarian mission, or the writing of a novel. The work has not been changed or analyzed by another person or organization.
Primary sources include:
- Original research – results of experiments, interviews, questionnaires, studies, surveys, archaeological digs
- Personal works – diaries, identification papers, journals, letters, memoirs and autobiographies (not biographies), speeches, theses (reporting original research)
- Government records – Parliamentary proceedings (Hansard), bills, acts, treaties, census data, court transcripts
- Corporate records – account books, e-mails, invoices, purchase orders, minutes, annual reports
- Works of literature – novels, plays, poetry, short stories
- Art and artefacts – paintings, sculptures, photographs, coins, objects
- Journal articles reporting original research (see first bullet above)
- Original audio and video recordings – feature films, news footage, performances
- Music – notated (print), recorded
- Other – advertisements, data files, maps, newspaper reports “from the field,” patents, posters, and public opinion polls
Secondary sources present an argument, interpretation, conclusion, or summary based upon information found in primary sources. In other words, the authors gained their information second hand.
Secondary sources include:
- Biographies (not autobiographies)
- Books (textbooks, literary criticism)
- Editorials and commentaries
- Encyclopaedias
- Journal articles (not reporting original research)
- Reviews
- Theses (not reporting original research)
Source
https://libraryguides.mta.ca/research_help/research_tips/primary_secondary_sources
