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Biology Resources: Understanding Primary Sources

What is a Primary Source?

"Primary sources (or primary research) presents the immediate results of original research activities and/or new scientific discoveries. It often includes hypotheses, experiments, analysis of data collected in the field or laboratory and a conclusion. Primary sources are original materials/information on which other research is based."

From “Primary Sources.” Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources in the Health Sciences, libguides.umn.edu/c.php?g=986651. Accessed 6 June 2023.

How Do I Find One?

  • Look for the following formats: journals, theses, reports, patents, and conference papers.
  • Use the library databases (Links are available on the Research Help tab of this guide).
  • Use the database filters to narrow by Material/Item Type and select "Primary Source".

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are sources that analyze and review primary sources within them, such as books, literature reviews, magazine articles, and encyclopedias. They are created after the primary source by someone who did not participate in the experiment or study that is reported on in the original primary source.