ANTH/SOC/CRIM 499: Senior Thesis

What type of sources am I searching for?

• In this class you will be predominantly searching and analyzing scholarly peer-reviewed articles that include empirical research and are primary resources.  You may want to also refer to secondary sources to broaden your understanding of a topic or to find citations of empirical research on your topic.
  
• Keep in mind how you will be conducting your research as you read the empirical literature on your topic. The literature can provide you with valid surveys, interview questions, and examples of methodology that you can reproduce and/or modify for your research.

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If you're looking for articles, start with a list of recommended databases in your area of study.

• Databases by Subject
• Each area of study has a BEST BETS box that highlights the recommended databases.
• Use some of the search tips in the table below.

The term primary source is used broadly to embody all sources that are original. Primary sources provide firsthand information that is closest to the object of study. 

• Original reports of research found in academic journals detailing the methodology used in the research and in-depth descriptions and discussions of the findings are considered primary sources of information.  These sources are often referred to as empirical.
• Other common examples of primary sources include speeches, letters, diaries, autobiographies, interviews, official reports, court records, artifacts, photographs, and drawings.

A secondary source is a source that provides non-original or secondhand data or information. 

• Secondary sources are written about primary sources. Literature review articles are secondary sources these can be excellent resources to get a better understanding of the topic, as well as in finding empirical articles written on a topic. 
• Research summaries reported in textbooks, magazines, and newspapers are considered secondary sources. They typically provide global descriptions of results with few details on the methodology. Other examples of secondary sources include biographies and critical studies of an author's work.

References

Galvan, J. L. (2013). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.

Persaud, N. (2010). Primary data source. In N. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of research design. (pp. 1095-1098). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Secondary Source. (2005). In W. Paul Vogt (Ed.), Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology. (3rd ed., p. 291). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Weidenborner, S., & Caruso, D. (1997). Writing research papers: A guide to the process. New York: St. Martin's Press.