Dissertations

The distinction between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources is important because it is the distinction between an original source vs. sources that interprets other original sources.

Primary Sources

Primary sources are original documents or first-hand accounts. Journal articles are considered primary sources when they report the findings of original research by the original researcher. Seminal work is a primary source and is original work by a researcher or theorist that is influential on other, later works. You will want to locate primary sources in peer-reviewed journals located through our research databases.

Secondary sources

Secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources. They are a step removed because someone else has interpreted, analyzed, and/or draw conclusions from the original source. Examples include most books, journal articles that analyze previous research studies, literature reviews, and abstracts.

Tertiary sources

The information in tertiary sources has been interpreted several times and is far removed from its original source. Encyclopedias are considered tertiary sources.

Search for articles in the Research Databases.

Journals

Journal articles contain scholarly research and are written by scholars who specialize in a particular field of study. Journal articles focus on very specific topics. (Example: You will not find basic symptoms of autism in a journal article, but you may find a specific study evaluating the effect of picture stories on the development of social skills in children with autism.) 

Use journals to find scholarly research, original research studies, and literature reviews. Peer reviewed articles are reviewed by a board of fellow scholars before they are published. 

Magazines

Magazine articles contain general interest and/or news information. Magazine articles are written by journalists, and they are intended for a general audience. Use magazines to find popular or general interest information.

Newspapers

Newspaper articles contain up-to-date information about current events. Newspaper articles are written by journalists, and they are intended for a general audience. Specialized newspapers such as Education Week provide national coverage of education-related topics.

Books can be found on virtually any topic and written for any audience. They may be available in print or electronic format.

Search for books in the Library Catalog. (We also have ebooks. Once in the catalog, click the "view ebook" link). You may need to log in with your Holy Family Canvas credentials.