This document discusses different types of information sources, including primary and secondary sources. It provides examples of primary sources like books, journal articles, photographs and patents, which are original works produced at the time without interpretation. Secondary sources are those that interpret and analyze primary sources, like biographies, review articles, textbooks and indexes. The document also discusses how to select the right information source depending on the topic, type of information needed and availability. It provides guidance on when to use different sources like books, encyclopedias, handbooks, journals, magazines, newspapers, databases and the internet.

1. Types of Information
Sources
What types of information sources are
available?

2. Types of Information Sources
 Primary Sources
 Secondary Sources

3. What are Primary
Sources?
Primary sources are original documents or original works.
Primary sources are produced at the time of an event,
without interpretation or commentary

4. Examples of Primary Sources
 Books/Monographs*
 Journal articles *
 Magazine articles *
 Newspaper articles *
 Internet resources *
 Reports *
 Letters
 Photographs
 Theses
 Poems
 Patents
* Can be primary or
secondary

5. What are Secondary
Sources?
Secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze
primary sources. Secondary sources are further removed
from the events described or mentioned in primary
sources.

6. Examples of Secondary Sources
 Biographies
 Books/Monographs
 Electronic Databases
 Dictionaries
 Encyclopedias
 Histories
 Handbooks
 Review Articles
 Textbooks
 Any Index
 Any Bibliography Used
to Locate Primary
Sources

7. Primary vs. Secondary
Primary Source Secondary Source
Art Original Artwork Article critiquing
the piece of art
Engineering Patent Derwent Patents
Index
History Original U.S.
Constitution
Book about the
Constitution
Science Original journal
article
Biological
Abstracts

8. Selection
How do I select the right source?

9. Selection depends on your topic, the
type of information you need, and
what is available.
If you need … You might try …
Current information Newspaper or WWW
Scholarly articles Journal
Popular interest articles Magazine
Lots of organized
information
Book or encyclopedia
To find article citations Index or database

10. Use a Book
 When looking for lots of information on a topic
 To put your topic in context with other
important issues
 To find historical information
 To find summaries of research to support an
argument

11. Use an Encyclopedia
 When looking for background information on
a topic
 When trying to find key ideas, important dates
or concepts

12. Two Types of Encyclopedias
 General Encyclopedias – provide concise
overviews on a wide range of topics
 Subject-Specific Encyclopedias – contain in-
depth information focusing on one field of
study.

13. Characteristics of General and Subject-
Specific Encyclopedias
 Encyclopedia articles give background
information.
 Encyclopedia articles usually include
bibliographies (works cited).
 Encyclopedia articles provide information to
help you narrow your topic.

14. Use a Handbook
 For finding factual information to answer
specific questions. Also, you can use a
handbook to verify data or solve problems in
a subject area.

15. Use a Journal
 When doing scholarly research
 To find out what has been studied on your
topic
 To find bibliographies that point to other
relevant research

16. Use a Magazine
 To find information or opinions about popular
culture
 To find up-to-date information about current
events
 To find general articles for people who are not
necessarily specialists about the topic

17. Use a Newspaper
 To find current information about
international, national and local events
 To find editorials, commentaries, expert or
popular opinions

18. Use a Database or Index
 When you want to find articles on your topic
in magazines, journals, or newspapers

19. Use the WWW
 To find current information
 AT YOUR OWN RISK!