Tertiary Source

Definition

A tertiary source is a type of information source that compiles, summarizes, or distills information from primary and secondary sources. Tertiary sources include encyclopedias, textbooks, and databases, serving as a starting point for research by providing an overview of a topic and guiding users to more in-depth materials. They are generally considered less credible for academic research because they do not present original findings or firsthand accounts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tertiary sources are typically used to provide general background information on a subject before diving into more detailed research.
2. They are often created by aggregating data from multiple primary and secondary sources, making them useful for getting a broad understanding of a topic.
3. While tertiary sources can be convenient for quick reference, they are not suitable for academic arguments that require direct evidence from primary or secondary materials.
4. Examples of tertiary sources include encyclopedias, almanacs, bibliographies, and fact-checking websites.
5. In source credibility assessments, tertiary sources might be viewed as less authoritative due to their reliance on other materials rather than original research.

Review Questions

• How do tertiary sources differ from primary and secondary sources in terms of their use in research?
  • Tertiary sources differ from primary and secondary sources in that they compile and summarize information rather than presenting original data or interpretations. While primary sources provide firsthand accounts and secondary sources analyze those accounts, tertiary sources serve as an overview that can guide researchers to more detailed works. This makes tertiary sources valuable for gaining initial insights into a topic but less reliable for substantiating specific claims in academic work.
• Evaluate the role of tertiary sources in assessing source credibility when conducting research.
  • Tertiary sources play an important role in assessing source credibility by providing a broad context for understanding a subject. They can help researchers identify key themes and major findings within a field, which may inform the evaluation of primary and secondary sources. However, researchers must also be cautious about relying too heavily on tertiary sources since they may not offer the depth required for rigorous analysis. Balancing the use of tertiary sources with more authoritative primary and secondary materials is crucial for credible research.
• Critically analyze how reliance on tertiary sources can impact the quality of research in journalism.
  • Reliance on tertiary sources can significantly impact the quality of journalism research by potentially leading to oversimplifications or inaccuracies. When journalists depend too much on these aggregated resources for information, they may miss nuances presented in primary data or critical analyses in secondary works. This reliance can result in stories that lack depth and fail to convey the complexities of an issue, ultimately undermining journalistic integrity and reducing the trustworthiness of reported facts. To ensure comprehensive coverage, journalists should prioritize primary and secondary sources while using tertiary ones as a starting point.

Related terms

Primary Source: An original document or firsthand account of an event, such as diaries, interviews, or research articles presenting new findings.

Secondary Source: A source that interprets or analyzes primary sources, like reviews, critiques, or academic articles that discuss original research.

Source Credibility: The trustworthiness and reliability of a source, often assessed based on the author's expertise, the publication's reputation, and the accuracy of the information.