Research: Primary Versus Secondary Sources

Research needs to be written convincingly and effectively. To make it happen, you need to dig up for necessary facts from a realistic source.

You know what it takes to introduce and defend your research writing to your audience. It has to be interesting enough for all to set their attention in your writing. However, it has to be believable. Which means, letting your readers agree and accept your topic as you convince them the right way.

No one is going to agree with your research paper if your source of information contradicts to the reality. It has to be real and official.

There are a lot of ways to get all the information you needed. You need to be precise enough on what to include. There are reference books, search results while browsing the internet or interview a person who has a relevant concern about the research study that you have written.

Facts are very important since it will justify your research about its current standing and how you will defend your study to your audience. That’s why you need to write well to be successful with your case.

Be careful enough on where you will get your facts for your research writing. You should gather the right one and not the mistaken ones.

During research, a primary source is a document that was made at the time of the event or subject you’re looking up. A photograph taken from the scene or the signed Declaration of Independence are examples of that. Secondary sources, in contrast, are materials written by folks like you – people who studied those events and drew their own conclusions from it.

When putting together your supporting arguments, using primary sources as reference will always prove as a stronger way to present your case. As a reference, there’s nothing more authentic or original.

Anytime you can use a primary source as your main reference, always do so. Hack at it with the same amount of gumption you put into using your favorite writing software. Unless you have access to unusual collections, it’s usually very difficult to find them, making your use of the reference even more valuable to whatever case you are building.

Secondary sources, of course, are equally valid, though in a different way. You have to remember that anyone recounting a past event can be a secondary source. It’s ability to be effective, however, will rely heavily on the quality of the conclusions drawn from them, as well as the general perception of the individuals who created the document.

When sourcing primary references, try looking at the following things:

-Local newspapers from the era, reporting new first-hand.

-Autobiographies from personalities involved.

-Films, photographs and other visual documentation of the subjects and events.

-Government records

-Music from the era (while not always the case, many histories are recorded in creative forms).

Now, knowing these sources of information, how does it differ from your previous sources of information? Are you doing the right thing? Think hard.

Author Bio: See how innovative Favorite Writing Software instantly can boost your English writing and watch how NLP technology can help you to write perfect emails, essays, reports and letters. More Info.

Category: Writing
Keywords: primary sources, research, secondary sources

Leave a Reply