In biology, primary sources are articles and documents that detail original research. Primary sources are usually written by the scientists who conducted the research and mark the first time the research has been published. Secondary sources usually comment on or review primary sources. Primary sources containing original research start scientific discourse; whereas secondary sources continue that discourse through discussion and commentary.
| Primary Sources | Secondary Sources | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Sources that present original research, usually written by those who conducted the research. | Sources that comment on, review, or discuss primary sources. |
| Common Formats | Conference papers, dissertations, patents, studies and/or surveys reported in journal articles. | Review articles, magazine or newspaper articles, books about original research. |
| Examples | An article about prion diseases and their treatment, containing new findings from a team of researchers who conducted a three-year study. | An article reviewing the methods used by the researchers in their three-year study about prion diseases. |
You can easily search for different source types in ScienceDirect Journals. Use the link to the database below. Type in a few keywords related to your topic. From your list of results, you can narrow to research articles (primary sources) or review articles (secondary sources).
Once you click on the title of an article that seems relevant to you, you will also be able to see citing articles. Citing articles may be review articles or secondary sources that comment on the article you found.
Peer reviewed. Some full-text content.
Focuses on the life sciences, physical sciences, medical sciences, and technology, with access to scientific, technical, and medical research. Includes journal articles, book chapters, and publications.