In science, knowledge accumulates as individuals study phenomena in the natural world. These researchers base their studies on the information contributed in the past by others, and the results of the new studies provide new information or different interpretations of the subjects under investigation. Scientists share their work through the publication of the results of their original research projects. In this way, the new knowledge is available to all who have an interest in those subjects.
USE PRIMARY LITERATURE FOR: |
For most science course assignments you are expected to base your work on the primary scientific literature. Read these original sources of information. |
Do not refer to a study that you are ready ABOUT in a primary source but have not read yourself. This is NOT an acceptable procedure. You should make all efforts to read the additional study itself. |
USE SECONDARY LITERATURE FOR: |
Secondary literature is useful for gaining a broad perspective on a topic or a synthesis of ideas about a topic and to find a bibliography of relevant sources |
Secondary literature can be used in addition to primary literature, but not in place of it. For instance, if you are reading a review article which refers to information in a primary research article, you should find that primary article and read it yourself |
A good research strategy is to begin looking at secondary sources to gain an overview of the subject in question, locating references to other secondary and primary literature that are included in the bibliographies of the secondary sources.
Then you can proceed to the primary literature, using the bibliographies of these papers as well.
Scientific literature may take a variety of physical forms: print publications such as books or journal articles, electronic documents, web sites, reports, meeting abstracts, government documents, personal communications, etc.
In your scientific research you should consult a variety of these formats.
This Guide was created by Elizabeth Graboski, MLIS Intern. Content is based on the library guide "Biocite" by Sara Penhale, Science Librarian at the Wildman Library, Earlham University.
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