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BIOL 102: Finding Secondary Sources

Scientific literature is generally described as being primary or secondary.

Secondary Sources are more general works that are based on primary sources.

Secondary sources may be print or digital and include:

  1. Scholarly books (monographs).

    For example:
    • Giant Pandas: Biology and Conservation
      QL737.C214 G524 2004
  2. Review papers that summarize and interpret the primary literature in a particular subject area.

    For example:
    • Recent advances in studies of bird migration. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 22, 357-378, November 1991

    N.B. Specific journals publish mainly review articles, such as Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, and Trends in Ecology and Evolution

  3. Scientific dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference works.

    For example:
    • Encyclopedia of Evolution
      Ref QH360.2 .E54 2002
    • Dictionary of Ecology
    • Knovel Books. This collection of ebooks includes Biology encyclopedias and dictionaries. Click on "My Subscription" before you begin searching.
  4. Science magazines.

    For example:
< Example of an Article CitationupLibrary Research Process >

Last Updated: 20 September 2011