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#SearchSmart! Information Literacy Tutorial

This is a self-learning tutorial that addresses each stage of the research process, including: identifying information needs; selecting sources; finding high-quality, scholarly information; evaluating information; and using information responsibly.

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources

Understanding the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources is essential for you as it enhances your ability to conduct thorough and credible research.

  • Primary sources offer direct, uninterpreted evidence about an event or subject, providing a foundation for original analysis and firsthand understanding.
  • Secondary sources, which interpret and analyse primary sources, help you build upon existing research and understand different perspectives and critiques.
  • Tertiary sources, which compile and summarise primary and secondary sources, offer you a consolidated overview of a topic and can help identify key resources for deeper investigation.

Knowing these distinctions allows you to evaluate the credibility and relevance of information, ensures you use appropriate sources for your academic work, and helps you develop critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for academic success.

Refer to the tabular summary below for examples.

Source Type

Definitions

Description

Examples

Primary Source

Original objects or documents with first-hand information or raw material.
  • Original materials
  • From the time period involved
  • Events described as they happen without commentary
  • Not filtered through interpretation or evaluation
  • Usually, the first appearance of information in physical or electronic format
  • Audio recordings (radio or podcasts)
  • Interviews
  • Letters
  • Newspapers that were written at the time of an event
  • Photographs and videos
  • Speeches
  • Memos
  • Diaries
  • Autobiographies

Secondary Source

Sources that analyse, interpret, or draw conclusions from a primary source.
  • Accounts that were written after the fact and influenced by hindsight, or higher level of understanding
  • about the situation
  • Not evidence but rather a discussion or commentary on evidence
  • Offer analysis or restate elements of primary sources
  • Attempt to explain, summarise, interpret, or reorganise information provided by primary sources
  • Commentaries or criticisms
  • Magazine and newspaper articles that were written after an event
  • Biographies
  • Histories
  • Textbooks
  • Political analysis or commentary

Tertiary Source

Sources that index, organise, or compile other sources.
  • Attempt to digest and distil information from primary and secondary sources
  • Often these sources are not credited to a single author
  • Dictionaries
  • Wikipedia
  • Encyclopaedias
  • Factbooks
  • Handbooks
  • Manuals

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Tel: 021 959 2946