[PDF] When and How to Use Secondary Sources and Persuasive Authority

What are some common examples of secondary sources?

Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers. Examples include journal articles, reviews, and academic books. A secondary source describes, interprets, or synthesizes primary sources. Primary sources are more credible as evidence, but good research uses both primary and secondary sources.

How can you identify a secondary source?

The presence of a bibliography is the quickest way to identify a secondary source. Another suggestion is to look at the creator; if they’re not directly involved in the events of the topic, it’s a secondary source. Regardless of whether the source is primary or secondary, you should still assess whether the creator is trustworthy.

How do you cite a secondary source?

Citing a secondary source. In order to cite a source that you have found within another source, you should name your source in the signal phrase. Then, mention the secondary source in parentheses, followed by the phrase “as cited”, the year of publication, and the page number: Example: Brooks suggested that… (as cited in Smith, 2002, p.459)

Are encyclopedias and textbooks considered secondary sources?

For example, newspaper articles are primary sources in the field of history but secondary in most other disciplines. Encyclopedias and textbooks are sometimes considered secondary sources although they are usually identified as tertiary. Recent post: How Can I Become Rich?