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A tertiary source is an index or textual consolidation of already published primary and secondary sources [1] that does not provide additional interpretations or analysis of the sources. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Some tertiary sources can be used as an aid to find key (seminal) sources, key terms, general common knowledge [ 4 ] and established mainstream ...
The classification of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources can be different in various disciplines and may depend on the context in which the source is used. The examples and definitions given in these guidelines are provided as an aid for more informed discussion of these classification issues when they come up.
A primary source can have all of these qualities, and a secondary source may have none of them. Deciding whether primary, secondary or tertiary sources are appropriate on any given occasion is a matter of good editorial judgment and common sense, not merely mindless, knee-jerk reactions to classification of a source as "primary" or "secondary".
The distinction between primary source and secondary source is standard in historiography, while the distinction between these sources and tertiary sources is more peripheral, and is more relevant to the scholarly research work than to the published content itself.
In general, secondary sources in a scientific context may be referred to as "secondary literature", [16] and can be self-described as review articles or meta-analysis. Primary source materials are typically defined as "original research papers written by the scientists who actually conducted the study."
Secondary source material is based on primary and other secondary source material, and may include synthesis and novel conclusions. A tertiary source is one that is based on a broad base of material, usually secondary, without introducing new synthesis or conclusions. Many sources contain a combination of primary/secondary or secondary/tertiary ...
Sources of information are commonly categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary sources.In brief, a primary source is one close to the event with firsthand knowledge (for example, an eyewitness); a secondary source is at least one step removed (for example, a book about an event written by someone not involved in it); and a tertiary source is an encyclopaedia or textbook that provides a ...
A primary source, such as a report of a pivotal experiment cited as evidence for a hypothesis, may be a valuable component of an article. A good article may appropriately cite primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Use of primary sources should always conform to the No original research policy.