What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?
Most publications are both primary and secondary sources, but for different material (although some review articles, and most book chapters and books are secondary sources for all material presented). Most journal articles present new (i.e., original) data, theoretical ideas, and/or conclusions. In addition, most journal articles describe data and/or theoretical ideas which have been published elsewhere. To illustrate, consider a hypothetical journal article by Smith and Jones (1994). Smith and Jones (1994) is a primary (first-hand, original) source for the new data and conclusions presented in that article. However, Smith and Jones (1994) is a secondary source for material described in that article which was published elsewhere; for example, data, theoretical ideas and/or conclusions reported by Lewis and Clark (1992). If both articles are relevant to your topic, read each paper. Use and cite Smith and Jones (1994) when describing data and/or conclusions first presented in that articl
