Main Contents Page

Before you start

STEP 1: STARTING OUT

STEP 2: FINDING

STEP 3: EVALUATE

- Fact vs opinion

- Currency (up-to-date)

- Authority

- Intended audience

- Publishing body

- Popular vs academic

- Eliminate irrelevant info

- Primary vs secondary sources

- Critical reading

- CARS checklist

- Quizz

STEP 4: LEGAL USE

STEP 5: COMMUNICATE

 

Primary vs secondary sources

Primary source

A primary source gives you original research that is presented for the first time. In other words new findings and theories.

See the following examples:

  • An article in a newspaper written by a journalist or freelance writer who was present at that specific event and is now writing about and describing what has happened.
  • Journals that publish latest or new findings.

Secondary source

A secondary source does not present new information or research, but provides information or evaluations of previously presented research.

See the following examples:

  • Encyclopaedias
  • Review articles