Secondary Sources

Definition

Secondary sources are documents or recordings that analyze, interpret, or summarize information from primary sources. They provide context and commentary on events, data, or original works, making them essential for understanding broader narratives. By utilizing secondary sources, researchers can evaluate the potential of a story and address research obstacles effectively, as they often consolidate various perspectives and analyses in one place.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary sources can include books, articles, documentaries, and reviews that discuss primary source material.
2. These sources help to establish context by showing how different interpretations of a primary source have evolved over time.
3. Using secondary sources allows reporters to draw on expert opinions and established research without having to conduct all original investigations themselves.
4. Secondary sources can help identify themes and patterns in research that may not be immediately apparent from primary sources alone.
5. Evaluating the credibility of secondary sources is crucial, as the accuracy of information can vary based on the author's expertise and the publication's reputation.

Review Questions

• How do secondary sources enhance the evaluation of story potential?
  • Secondary sources enhance the evaluation of story potential by providing context and expert analysis on primary materials. They allow journalists to see how a story fits into larger trends or issues by summarizing multiple perspectives. This helps in determining if a story has enough depth or relevance to engage an audience.
• Discuss the role of secondary sources in overcoming common research obstacles faced by reporters.
  • Secondary sources play a crucial role in overcoming research obstacles by offering synthesized information that may otherwise require extensive time to gather. When faced with limited access to primary data or difficult interviews, reporters can rely on credible secondary sources for background information, statistics, and expert commentary. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a topic while saving time and resources.
• Evaluate the impact of using secondary sources on the overall reliability and depth of news reporting.
  • Using secondary sources significantly impacts the reliability and depth of news reporting by providing additional layers of verification and insight. Reporters can compare various analyses from reputable authors to ensure that their narrative is well-rounded and factual. However, it's essential for journalists to critically assess the credibility of these secondary sources to avoid propagating misinformation, ultimately affecting the trustworthiness of their reporting.

Related terms

Primary Sources: Original materials or firsthand accounts that provide direct evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art.

Literature Review: A comprehensive summary and analysis of existing research on a particular topic, often using secondary sources to identify gaps and trends.

Citation: A reference to a published or unpublished source, allowing others to locate the original work and giving credit to the authors of secondary sources.