Public Health and Kinesiology Research: Primary vs Secondary Sources

Primary research (also called empirical research) refers to original studies or experiments conducted and reported by the researchers themselves..  These sources present first-hand evidence and forms the basis for generating new knowledge.

Key Characteristics:

• typical sections of a primary research article includes research objective, methods, results, and discussion
• draws conclusion based on evidence collection through direct observation or experience, rather than on theory or speculation

Trying to find original, primary research?  Look for:

• clinical trials, cohort studies, case control studies, cross-sectional studies
• interviews, focus groups, surveys, questionnaires
• modelling, statistical analyses

This online learning module introduces primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, explains the common characteristics of each, and discusses how they might be useful to your research.

Secondary research provides a critical perspective and synthesis of existing research and helps readers understand the broader context and current state of knowledge on a topic.

Key characteristics:

• written by authors who did not conduct the original research
• often offer a critical perspective and synthesis of existing research
• can take the form of a journal article, book, or book chapter

Trying to find secondary research or overviews of a research topic?  Look for:

• literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses
• practice guidelines
• commentaries, editorials