A list of all the sources you have used in the process of researching your work
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Sources of information or evidence are often categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary material. These classifications are based on the originality of the material and the proximity of the source or origin. This informs the reader as to whether the author is reporting information that is first hand or is conveying the experiences and opinions of others which is considered second hand. Determining if a source is primary, secondary or tertiary can be tricky. Below you will find a description of the three categories of information and examples to help you make a determination. Show
Primary SourcesThese sources are records of events or evidence as they are first described or actually happened without any interpretation or commentary. It is information that is shown for the first time or original materials on which other research is based. Primary sources display original thinking, report on new discoveries, or share fresh information. Examples
of primary sources: Secondary SourcesThese sources offer an analysis or restatement of primary sources. They often try to describe or explain primary sources. They tend to be works which summarize, interpret, reorganize, or otherwise provide an added value to a primary source. Examples of Secondary Sources: Tertiary SourcesThese are sources that index, abstract, organize, compile, or digest other sources. Some reference materials and textbooks are considered tertiary sources when their chief purpose is to list, summarize or simply repackage ideas or other information. Tertiary sources are usually not credited to a particular author. Examples of Tertiary Sources: Published on June 13, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan. Revised on November 3, 2022. It’s important to know how to find relevant sources when writing a research paper,
literature review, or systematic review. The types of sources you need will depend on the stage you are at in the
research process, but all sources that you use should be credible, up to date, and relevant to your research topic. There are three main places to look for sources to use in your research: You can search for scholarly sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar. These provide a range of search functions
that can help you to find the most relevant sources. If you are searching for a specific article or book, include the title or the author’s name. Alternatively, if you’re just looking for sources related to your research problem, you can search using keywords. In this case, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the scope of your project and of the most relevant
keywords. Databases can be general (interdisciplinary) or subject-specific.
Example: JSTOR discipline search filter Check the table below to find a database that’s relevant to your research. Research databases by academic discipline
Google ScholarTo get started, you might also try Google Scholar, an academic search engine that can help you find relevant books and articles. Its “Cited by” function lets you see the number of times a source has been cited. This can tell you something about a source’s credibility and importance to the field. Example: Google Scholar “Cited by” function  Boolean operatorsBoolean operators can also help to narrow or expand your search. Boolean operators are words and symbols like AND, OR, and NOT that you can use to include or exclude keywords to refine your results. For example, a search for “Nietzsche NOT nihilism” will provide results that include the word “Nietzsche” but exclude results that contain the word “nihilism.” Many databases and search engines have an advanced search function that allows you to refine results in a similar way without typing the Boolean operators manually. Example: Project Muse advanced search Library resourcesYou can find helpful print sources in your institution’s library. These include:
Make sure that the sources you consult are appropriate to your research. You can find these sources using your institution’s library database. This will allow you to explore the library’s catalog and to search relevant keywords. You can refine your results using Boolean operators. Once you have found a relevant print source in the library:
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Learn more Other online sourcesYou can consult popular online sources to learn more about your topic. These include:
You can find these sources using search engines. To refine your search, use Boolean operators in combination with relevant keywords. However, exercise caution when using online sources. Consider what kinds of sources are appropriate for your research and make sure the sites are credible. Look for sites with trusted domain extensions:
Other sites can still be used, but you should evaluate them carefully and consider alternatives. Frequently asked questions about finding sourcesHow do I find scholarly sources? It is important to find credible sources and use those that you can be sure are sufficiently scholarly.
How do I search research databases efficiently? When searching for sources in databases, think of specific keywords that are relevant to your topic, and consider variations on them or synonyms that might be relevant. Once you have a clear idea of your research parameters and key terms, choose a database that is relevant to your research (e.g., Medline, JSTOR, Project MUSE). Find out if the database has a “subject search” option. This can help to refine your search. Use Boolean operators to combine your keywords, exclude specific search terms, and search exact phrases to find the most relevant sources. What is the difference between a scholarly and a popular source? Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review. They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources. Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts. Cite this Scribbr articleIf you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Is this article helpful?You have already voted. Thanks :-) Your vote is saved :-) Processing your vote... Is a list of all the sources you have used in the process?A bibliography is a listing of all the sources you consulted in writing your research paper.
What sources of information can you use to gather information?Information can come from virtually anywhere — media, blogs, personal experiences, books, journal and magazine articles, expert opinions, encyclopedias, and web pages — and the type of information you need will change depending on the question you are trying to answer.
Which among the following provides the list of all the sources used in research?The reference list (APA) or works cited (MLA) list is an alphabetical list of citations for the sources you used in your work.
What is the first information of the source?A primary source is a first hand testimony, document, speech or other evidence that gives insight into a particular person or an event. They are often created during the time period which is being studied but can also be produced later by eyewitnesses or participants.
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