Understanding source types

Sources can be described in several ways. Academic and non-academic describe how and for whom information was produced. Primary, secondary and tertiary describe the role a source plays in relation to the evidence or subject being studied.

These categories can overlap, and they do not by themselves tell you whether a source is reliable or suitable for your assessment. This page will help you understand the main distinctions and choose the guidance you need.

How and for whom was it produced? Academic and non-academic sources explains the common features of academic, professional, official and popular information, and when each may be appropriate.

What role does it play in your research? Primary, secondary and other source types explains the difference between original evidence, interpretation, synthesis and background information. It also introduces tertiary sources and grey literature.

What about AI-generated information? AI for researching a topic explains how AI can support exploration and discovery, why its answers are not substitutes for traceable sources, and how to check the original evidence before relying on it.

No source type is automatically suitable for every assessment. Check your assessment brief and marking criteria, and use your module reading list as a starting point. You may also be expected to find and evaluate additional sources. Ask your tutor if the expected kinds of evidence are unclear.

Consider:

• what kind of evidence the assessment requires
• whether you need original material, interpretation or a general overview
• whether current professional, technical or official information is relevant
• whether the source supports the specific point you want to make
• how this kind of source is understood in your subject

A source can be genuine and academic without supporting the claim you want to make. Identifying its type is only the beginning. Use Evaluate sources to assess its relevance, evidence, authority and currency.

Once you know what type of information you need, use the Library’s Finding Resources page to search LibrarySearch or browse guidance for finding books, journal articles, datasets, statistics, theses and other formats.

If you need help choosing keywords, selecting search tools or refining your results, see Search effectively.

Still not feeling confident? That’s okay. We’re here to support you.

• Email us: library@abertay.ac.uk for one-to-one advice on finding or evaluating sources.
• Check your assessment brief and ask your tutor if you’re unsure what kinds of sources to use.