A primary source is a source of original data, such as documents, memorabilia, or firsthand accounts. Primary sources are preferred over secondary sources because of the decreased potential for bias and distortion beyond the control of the researcher. A secondary source is a source of data that consists of summarization of or commentary about primary data, such as writings or a life experience, by someone other than the person who produced the data or lived through the experience.
Source: Primary source. (2010). In A. B. Powers, Dictionary of nursing theory and research (4th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Credo Reference: https://ezproxy.rit.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/spnurthres/primary_source/0?institutionId=3255
Secondary source. (2010). In A. B. Powers, Dictionary of nursing theory and research (4th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Credo Reference: https://ezproxy.rit.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/spnurthres/secondary_source/0?institutionId=3255
A scholarly journal article has an abstract, introduction, method, results, conclusion and a list of references (bibliography). The journal article's topic should be easy to understand as you read its abstract and introduction. The method, results and conclusion sections discuss and compare the conducted research. Authors have to include their cited references about research by other scientists. The use of references distinguish scholarly journal articles from non scholarly journals.
Click on the image to review different parts of a scholarly article.
Use of RIT resources is reserved for current RIT students, faculty
and staff for academic and teaching purposes only.
Please contact your librarian with any questions.
