Template:Tertiary source
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A tertiary source is an index and/or textual consolidation of primary and secondary sources.[2][3][4] Some tertiary sources should not be used for academic research, unless they can also be used as secondary sources or to find other sources.[1]
Overlap with Secondary Sources
Depending on the topic of research, a scholar may use a bibliography, dictionary, or encyclopedia as either a tertiary or a secondary source.[2] This causes difficulty in defining many sources as either one type or the other.
In some academic disciplines the distinction between a secondary and tertiary source is relative.[2][4]
In the United Nations International Scientific Information System (UNISIST) model, a secondary source is a bibliography, whereas a tertiary source is a synthesis of primary sources.[5]
Types of Tertiary Sources
As tertiary sources, encyclopedias and textbooks attempt to summarize and consolidate the source materials into an overview, but may also present subjective commentary and analysis (which are characteristics of secondary sources).
Index, bibliographies, and databases may not provide much textual information, but as aggregates of primary and secondary sources, they are often considered tertiary sources.
Almanacs, guide books, survey articles, timelines and user guides are also examples of tertiary sources.
Wikipedia
As an encyclopedia, and especially one that does not analyze or interpret its sources, Wikipedia is a tertiary source. Wikipedia links all of its sources inline and at the bottom of the article, and provides textual synthesis of the information available in them.[1]
See also
Notes
de:Sekundärliteratur#Tertiärliteratur
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Resources". University of New Haven.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Primary, secondary and tertiary sources.". University Libraries, University of Maryland. Retrieved 07/26/2013
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Tertiary sources". James Cook University.
- ↑ Template:Cite doi