The Literature Review

Scholarly, professional literature falls under 3 categories, primary, secondary, and tertiary.  Published works (also known as a publication) may fall into one or more of these categories, depending on the discipline.  See definitions and linked examples of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.

Differences in Publishing Norms by Broader Discipline 

Scholarly and professional communication norms can be different among various disciplines.  For instance, scholars in political science or law will generally publish their knowledge and research differently than those in chemistry or physics.  To show these distinctions, links to examples are provided for primary, secondary and tertiary sources.  The broader disciplines of business, education, and social science tend to use publications from both the sciences and humanities.

If you are in STEM or Nursing, see these examples of primary, secondary and tertiary literature within your disciplines:

Image:  Typewriter, by DanielMcCullough, Permission by Unsplash.com license.

A primary source is a document or work where its author had a direct interaction or was involved with what was studied or created.  These sources are recommended when you need to get information or findings that are a direct result or finding from a study, research, or creation.   A primary source can also be an actual creative work or original material.

Humanities:

• Magazine or newspaper articles
• Creative works (literature, poetry, fiction books, film, works of art or design, performances)
• Autobiographies and memoirs
• Interviews and oral histories
• Laws, statutes and official documents

Science / Health Sciences:

• Reports of original research:  journal articles, poster presentations, conference papers
• Theses & dissertations
• Patents
• Technical reports

Image:  Library stacks.  Permission by Pixabay.com  license.

A secondary source is a document or work where its author had an indirect part in a study or creation; an author is usually writing about or reporting the work or research done by someone else.  Secondary sources can be used for additional or supporting information; they are not the direct product of research or the making of a creative work.

Humanities:

• Books (monographs) written about a topic
• Articles:  Criticism or interpretation of creative works
• Biographies
• Reviews of creative works
• Bibliographies

Science / Health Sciences:

• Textbooks and books (monographs) 
• Reviews: Literature or systematic
• Articles in trade journals (not based on research)
• Opinion pieces or commentaries

Image:  Encyclopedias, by StockSnap, Permission by Pixabay.com  license.

A tertiary source provides agreed-upon facts like measurements, dates, and definitions.  They are usually known as reference works and include the following:

• Encyclopedias
• Almanacs
• Standards:  a document with specifications that create rules, guidelines or characteristics to ensure that materials, processes, or services are fit for their purpose.  They are established by a professional organization to provide a baseline of acceptable quality.
• Handbooks and manuals:  a resource that summarizes major topics or processes within a field.  These often provide established measurements, definitions or research methods.
• Pathfinders (Research Guides): a list of recommended information sources on a topic or discipline.