Template:Tertiary source: Difference between revisions
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Where a [[primary source]] presents material from a first-hand witness to a phenomenon, and a [[secondary source]] provides commentary, analysis and criticism of primary sources, a '''tertiary source''' is a selection and compilation of primary and secondary sources. While the distinction between ''primary source'' and ''secondary source'' is essential in [[historiography]], the distinction between these sources of evidence and ''tertiary sources'' is more peripheral, and is more relevant to the practice of scholarship than to the content. | |||
Typical instances of tertiary sources are bibliographies, library catalogs, directories, reading lists and survey articles. [[Encyclopedia]]s and [[textbook]]s are examples of materials that typically embrace both secondary and tertiary sources, presenting on the one hand commentary and analysis, while on the other attempting to provide a synoptic overview of the material available on the topic. For instance, the long articles of the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'' certainly constitute the kind of analytical material characteristic of secondary sources, while they also attempt to provide the kind of comprehensive coverage associated with tertiary sources. | Typical instances of tertiary sources are bibliographies, library catalogs, directories, reading lists and survey articles. [[Encyclopedia]]s and [[textbook]]s are examples of materials that typically embrace both secondary and tertiary sources, presenting on the one hand commentary and analysis, while on the other attempting to provide a synoptic overview of the material available on the topic. For instance, the long articles of the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'' certainly constitute the kind of analytical material characteristic of secondary sources, while they also attempt to provide the kind of comprehensive coverage associated with tertiary sources. | ||
Revision as of 23:53, 28 November 2006
Where a primary source presents material from a first-hand witness to a phenomenon, and a secondary source provides commentary, analysis and criticism of primary sources, a tertiary source is a selection and compilation of primary and secondary sources. While the distinction between primary source and secondary source is essential in historiography, the distinction between these sources of evidence and tertiary sources is more peripheral, and is more relevant to the practice of scholarship than to the content.
Typical instances of tertiary sources are bibliographies, library catalogs, directories, reading lists and survey articles. Encyclopedias and textbooks are examples of materials that typically embrace both secondary and tertiary sources, presenting on the one hand commentary and analysis, while on the other attempting to provide a synoptic overview of the material available on the topic. For instance, the long articles of the Encyclopædia Britannica certainly constitute the kind of analytical material characteristic of secondary sources, while they also attempt to provide the kind of comprehensive coverage associated with tertiary sources.
See also
es:Fuente terciaria fr:Source tertiaire id:Sumber tersier ja:三次資料 zh:三级文献