Secondary Source Definition
Secondary Source Definition. There are several types of secondary sources, and each can help your writing in a different way. Some types of secondary source include:
Secondary sources often summarize, interpret, analyze or comment on information found in primary sources. Secondary sources describe, summarize, or discuss information or details originally presented in another source; Publications such as textbooks, magazine articles, book reviews, commentaries, encyclopedias, almanacs.
In Scholarly Work, A Primary Source Reports Original Content;
In the social sciences, a secondary source is usually a scholar book, journal article, or digital or print document that was created by someone who did not directly experience or participate in the events or conditions under investigation. Secondary sources are a step removed from primary sources. Secondary sources often summarize, interpret, analyze or comment on information found in primary sources.
For Example, Although Scholarly Journal Articles Are Usually Considered Secondary Sources, If One's Topic Is The History Of Human Rights, Then Journal Articles On Human Rights Will Be Primary Sources In This Instance.
Secondary sources are used to help locate primary sources of law, define legal words and phrases, or help in legal research. For example, books on purdue university history are secondary sources because the author analyzes, interprets, retells, or explains events for which he was not present and did not personally witness. Textbook passages discussing specific concepts, events, and experiments;
Secondary Sources Can, However, Cite Both Primary Sources And Secondary Sources.
Cite secondary sources sparingly—for instance, when the original work is out of print, unavailable, or available only in a language that you do not understand. Typical secondary sources may be primary sources depending on the research topic. Published research, newspaper articles, and other media are typical secondary sources.
Secondary Sources May Contain Pictures, Quotes Or Graphics Of Primary Sources.
They are the second time the event has been described or depicted. It is anything about a historical event which was created using primary sources, and/or which was one or more stages removed from the time period and the event. Secondary sources are created by individuals who were not direct participants in an event.
What Is A Secondary Source?
Some types of secondary source include: Essays analyzing novels, works of art, and other original creations; Generally, they are accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight.