Research Guides: Embry-Riddle Language Institute Classes: Evaluate Your Search Results

Primary/Secondary

Primary sources are original documents and objects created during the time period being studied.

Secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources by means of commentary on or discussion of the evidence.

Read the abstract to learn overview of the article.
Look at the keywords. Do they match your search?
- Even if they don't match, is the article still relevant?
- If the article is relevant, add new keywords to search.
Can you understand the vocabulary?
When was it published? Do you need a recent article?
Does the article contain references?
Is it original research?
- Does it use primary or secondary sources?
- Does it include charts, graphs, or other data?
- See Evaluating Sources for more information.