Primary source documents in the Sciences (biology, ecology, chemistry) focus on original research, ideas, or findings published in academic journals. These articles mark the first publication of such research; and they detail the researcher’s methodology and results. Plant or mineral samples and other artifacts are primary sources as well.
Primary Vs. Secondary Sources
Primary Sources
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Secondary Sources
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Scholarly and Academic journal articles found in library databases
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Freely available on the Web or databases
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| Highly Technical Language written for experts in the field |
Non-technical language, including frequent definitions, written for the non-expert |
| Publication will not have photos, but may have charts & graphs |
Publication may have photos and ads |
| Written by the scholars who conducted the research. Usually introduces new data, information or theories. |
Explains a primary research study |
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Article should include these sections:
- abstract
- Introduction
- Methods, materials or experiment
- Results
- Discussion
- References
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| Expansive - 6-8 pages or can be up to 40 pages in length |
Usually shorter in length |
Source: Edmonds Community College Library, Scientific Primary Sources Tutorial