Guide to Scientific WritingIntroduction
How do I know it is primary literature?
Unfortunately, many students forget to check and make sure the references they choose are primary literature. Articles fall into two categories: primary sources and secondary sources.
Primary sources: Primary sources are literature where the authors are contributing new information (i.e. firsthand evidence) to their field and not just discussing the results of something previously published. These articles are found in peer-reviewed journals, meaning the article is assessed by a panel of experts in the field who decide whether the experiment was performed correctly, and if the work will make a significant contribution to the scientific community. Unlike in books or on the web, this process helps ensure the information presented is correct and novel.
Secondary sources: Secondary sources contain information that helps explain and generalize the work in a particular field. They are typically written for people who may not be familiar with the topic and the field. These sources are useful for general background knowledge on a subject, and can help you place your ideas in a broader context.
The web as a source: Websites are an easy way to access information, but there is no system in place to ensure information is correct. Anyone can post any information they want onto a website, therefore you must be very careful about which websites you use and make sure that information is accurate. For that reason, we do NOT recommend using websites as sources for lab reports.
The Library has compiled some excellent resources to help you with this - NOTE: This will open a new window.