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BIO-471: Biology Capstone (Symington & Reid)

Research guide for BIO 471

Differentiate Primary and Secondary Literature

Primary Literature 

Research for your thesis will focus on the primary literature. In the sciences, the primary literature presents the immediate results of research activities, written by those who conducted the research.  It often includes analysis of data collected in the field or laboratory.  Primary literature presents original research and/or new scientific discoveries.

While patents, dissertations, and other documents report original research, journal articles are the most widely used primary sources in the sciences.

Secondary Literature

The secondary literature in the sciences summarizes and synthesizes the primary literature.  It is usually broader and less current than primary literature.  Since most information sources in the secondary literature contain extensive bibliographies, they can be useful for finding more information on a topic.  

Examples of Secondary Literature in the Sciences

Literature review articles
Books/book chapters

 

Types of Scientific Literature 

There are many types of scientific documents written for various purposes.  A few of the main ones are described below. For your thesis, the most important sources are journal articles.

Research article (journal article)

  • gives a full report on new research conducted by the authors
  • intermediate length, typically 5-30 pages
  • usually divided into sections such as introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion
  • provides sufficient detail for others to evaluate the conclusions or repeat the experiment
  • cites relevant literature used by the authors in their research


Communication (journal article) - sometimes labeled as a letter or note

  • reports a significant research result that does not require an extensive study
  • brief article, typically 2-4 pages
  • usually not divided into sections
  • cites relevant literature used by the authors in their research
  • should not be confused with letters to the editor

Review article (journal article)

  • does not report original research
  • reviews previously published literature on a particular topic
  • frequently focuses on a specific time period
  • reports on work done by many researchers 
  • long articles, typically 20 - 60 pages
  • usually contains extensive lists of literature references
Other common types of documents that may turn up in your searches:

Conference proceedings

  • reports of presentations made at professional meetings
  • may be full articles or just abstracts of presentations

Dissertation

  • describes new research conducted for a Ph.D. or other advanced degree
  • reviewed and accepted by a faculty committee
     

Source content adapted from University of Pittsburgh Libraries' Biology Guide: https://pitt.libguides.com/biology