March 11, 2025
Finding and evaluating sources
Finding and evaluating sources for a research assignment can be tricky. What is a primary or secondary source? What does “peer-reviewed” mean? What makes a source good? Who do I contact when I don’t know where to find a source?
No worries! Below is an introduction to the basics of university research. Click the links to university resources for more information.
Primary and secondary sources
A Primary source is an original source created by a witness, observer, or participant who experienced the source’s topic. These sources are usually created around the same time as the topic. Note: a source may be a written work, but it doesn’t have to be! Photographs, videos, research studies, etc. can all be sources!
Other names: Primary literature, primary articles, research studies
Some types: Diaries, oral histories, interviews, photographs, news articles, birth certificates, case law, journal articles that present new research
Example:Unknown. (1954 February). Chinese New Year, Calgary, Alberta [photograph, CU1140508]. Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources digital Collections, University of Calgary. https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/Package/2R34082WN1GB
University of Calgary Library resource: Primary Sources Research Guide
A Secondary source is a source created by someone who did not witness, observe, or take part first-hand in the source’s topic. These sources are created after the topic occurs. These sources involve analysis, review, or critique.
Other names: Analysis, commentary, critique
Some types: Articles or books that comment on, critique, or analyze research
Example: Bond, D. (2013). Governing disaster: The political life of the environment during the BP oil spill. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 28(4), 694-715. https://doi.org/10.1111/cuan.12033
Peer-reviewed sources
Many of your instructors may ask you to find Peer-reviewed sources for your secondary literature. It is important to keep in mind that not all secondary sources are peer-reviewed. Peer Reviewed sources are texts that have been critiqued and reviewed by a discipline scholar (other than the author of the text).
Other names: Referred, scholarly, academic
Signifiers that you are reading a peer-reviewed source:
- The article’s journal or book’s publisher specifies in its publishing process that it engages in peer review (note: you may have to go to the journal or publisher’s website to confirm this)
- The author acknowledges the peer review in their notes, acknowledgements, thanks, or similar section
Example: George, L. T., Kale, R., & Wadadekar, Y. (2021). An upper limit calculator (UL-CALC) for undetected extended sources with radio interferometers: radio halo upper limits. Experimental Astronomy, 51(2), 235-248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-020-09692-7
University of Calgary Library resource: Peer Review Process [video]
How do I know if a source is “good”?
Sources are “good” aka “academically high-quality” through a combination of elements. Finding a peer-reviewed source is a good start, but you can also keep an eye out for the author(s):
- demonstrating or describing their methods, theories, and primary concerns;
- addressing opposing arguments or perspectives;
- rigorously citing other scholars and texts in a consistent manner (e.g., APA, IEEE);
- making their institutional affiliations clear;
- using technical and discipline-specific language;
- making clear the limitations of their research; and,
- highlighting other research that could build off or improve their research.
Further resources
The University of Calgary Library has a wealth of resources available to students. Start here and as you get comfortable branch out as needed to other sources: