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PSY 201: Science of Psychology

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Primary Source Research: an original study, that is, the article is written by the people who performed the study.  It will include information about methodology, such as how many subjects, how they were selected, tests or interventions, and results.

Showing part of article, pointing out what makes it a primary source.

Secondary Source:  a document written about multiple primary sources or reviews, analyzing or discussing them. Two examples would be systematic reviews or literature reviews.

Portion of review article noting it evaluates multiple studies so is not a primary source