In the Sciences, primary sources are documents that provide a complete description of the original research. For example, a primary source would be a journal article describing scientists' research on the human immune system written by the scientist that conducted the research. A secondary source would be an article that comments on or analyzes the scientists' research on the human immune system.
A primary research article includes:
I Introduction
M Methods (Methodology)
R Results
A and
D Discussion
Keywords to include:
(methods AND results) OR methodology OR "case study"
| Primary Source | Secondary Source | |
| Definitions | Original materials that have not been filtered through interpretation or evaluation by a second party. | Sources that contain commentary on or a discussion about a primary source. |
| Timing of Publication Cycle | Primary sources tend to come first in the publication cycle. | Secondary sources tend to come second in the publication cycle |
| Formats |
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| Example: Scientists Studying Genetically Modified Foods | Article in scholarly journal reporting research and methodology | Articles analyzing and commenting on the results of original research; books doing the same. |