How To Do Secondary Research or a Literature Review

Understanding sources is critical for academic and professional success. Whether you’re writing a research paper, planning a business, or seeking reliable facts, it is essential not only to gather information but also to carefully choose where you get it from. This following sections will delve into different kinds of information sources, emphasizing what makes each unique.

Popular Sources: Designed for a general audience, these sources include magazines, newspapers, websites, and blogs. While accessible, they often lack the depth and rigorous analysis found in scholarly works.

Scholarly Sources: Published in academic journals and conference proceedings, scholarly sources undergo a rigorous peer review process. Characterized by in-depth analysis and credibility, they are considered authoritative in their respective fields.

Professional Sources: Tailored to specific industries or professions, these sources include trade magazines and industry reports. They offer practical knowledge and insights relevant to professionals in the field.

Primary Sources: Original materials or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, surveys, experiments, and historical documents. They provide direct evidence for research or analysis.

Secondary Sources: Interpretations or analyses of primary sources, including textbooks, review articles, and documentaries. They offer a broader perspective on a topic.

When choosing sources, it's important to consider their authority. Authority means the specific knowledge or expertise of the source's creators. This includes not just formal education, but also relevant experience and firsthand knowledge. Here are some examples:

• A soldier who has been in combat might know a lot about how war affects people mentally, even without formal psychology training.
• Someone who has lived in a small town for a long time might be an expert on its history, even if they're not a professional historian.
• A person with a rare disease might understand what it's like to live with that condition better than doctors do.

It's important to match your sources with your audience. The type, depth, and complexity of information you present should be tailored to your listeners or readers. This ensures that your message is both understood and perceived as credible. As an example, let's look at how a researcher developing a new hearing aid technology might use different sources for different audiences:

She starts by applying to the NIH for research funding:

• Audience: Academic researchers and scientists
• Sources: Peer-reviewed academic papers
• Why: These show scientific rigor and strong theories

On completing her research, she files for a patent on her invention:

• Audience: Patent examiners
• Sources: Existing patents
• Why: These show how the new invention is different and original

With a patent in hand, she decides to form a company to manufacture and sell the new hearing aids, so she applies for startup funding:

• Audience: Bankers or investors
• Sources: Market studies and demographic data
• Why: These show the business potential of the product

Note how she changes her sources to match what each audience cares about most. This helps her succeed at each stage of her project.

This idea of using different sources for different audiences applies in many fields:

• Writing a cookbook:
  • For professional chefs: Use scientific food journals
  • For home cooks: Use popular cooking blogs and TV shows
• Making an educational app:
  • For education officials: Use academic research on learning
  • For parents: Use reviews of similar apps and child development guides
• Planning a city project:
  • For city planners: Use studies from other cities and urban planning journals
  • For local residents: Use local news and community surveys

Often, it's best to use different types of good sources. For example, when talking about climate change, you might use:

• Scientific papers for data
• Government reports for policy information
• Real-life examples for practical effects

By carefully choosing sources that fit your audience, you can make your arguments stronger and more believable. Remember, it's not just about using good sources, but about using sources that your audience will trust and understand.