Types of Sources
Last updated 2023-02-10
As you conduct research and throughout your studies you will encounter many different types of sources. This chapter will briefly introduce and provide examples of three commonly utilized sources: primary, secondary, and review sources.
For more in-depth information about types of sources visit the UBC Library Research Skills for Biologists Guide and the UBC Literature Review Guide.
Primary Sources
Primary sources are scientific papers describing the first hand accounts of events or theories. In other words, an original publication where the author(s) discuss work performed by them. Primary sources can describe either exploratory or confirmatory research. For a refresher on these types of research see The Burden of Proof section of the Open Science Primer. Examples of primary sources include:
- conference proceedings
- journal articles
The link below provides you with an example of a primary paper found through the UBC Okanagan Library. You will need your cwl to access the paper.
Hay, T. N., Phillips, L. A., Nicholson, B. A., & Jones, M. D. (2015). Ectomycorrhizal community structure and function in interior spruce forests of british columbia under long term fertilization. Forest Ecology and Management, 350, 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.04.023.
In contrast, the link here provides you with an example of a non-primary sourced paper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce%E2%80%93fir_forests.
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are scientific papers written by a person who did not participate in the events first hand. The author(s) of a secondary source typically generalizes, interprets, or analyzes primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include:
- review articles
- edited volumes
- books
- abstracts and indexes
To help you distinguish between a primary and secondary source, ask yourself “Did the researchers collect data to answer a question or are they reporting on someone else's data?” If the answer is the former, the source is primary. However, if the answer is reporting on someone else's data the source is secondary.
Review Sources
Review sources are a specific type of secondary source where authors summarize the existing literature for a topic. These reviews are extremely helpful for identifying
- research already conducted
- current knowledge and theories
- significant gaps in the literature
- areas for future research
Four common types of review sources are literature reviews, scoping reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
Literature Reviews
Literature reviews, also known as traditional reviews, provide a comprehensive, critical, and objective analysis of a topic. These reviews do not typically follow a structured methodological protocol and the articles included vary and may not necessarily be exhaustive. Additionally, author(s) of a literature review will offer a qualitative synthesis of the included sources along with a conclusion or discussion about the findings.
Scoping Reviews
Scoping reviews follow a specific pre-defined methodological study protocol including a detailed search strategy aimed at gathering a broad and exhaustive list of sources to review. The purpose of following a pre-defined study protocol is to reduce bias and enhance reproducibility of the review. Moreover, a scoping review offers a qualitative synthesis of the evidence based on the included sources along with an evidence based discussion of the findings.
For more information on scoping reviews see the Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines or PRISMA checklist for conducting a scoping review.
Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews are similar to scoping reviews in that they follow a specific pre-defined methodological study protocol. However, the research question addressed in a systematic review is more specific. Additionally, this type of review will include a critical appraisal of all sources of evidence rather than all sources being considered equally valid. The outcomes of systematic reviews are often used to inform clinical guidelines.
Meta-Analyses
Meta-analyses further expand on systematic reviews by including a quantitative statistical analysis of the results. Typically this involves combining the effect sizes of similar studies to determine an overall effect size related to the research question.
For more information on evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses see the following links: