Studying Effectively
Student using a phone to find books on the library shelves

Sources of information

Explore primary, secondary and tertiary sources of information

There are many different sources of information available to you at university, including primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.

  • Primary sources, such as journal articles and conference papers, are where new research or theories are first published
  • Secondary sources, for example books, provide a more digested overview of a subject
  • Tertiary sources, such as encyclopaedias, record facts and summaries of the information in primary and secondary sources

Click on each of the boxes below to find out about the benefits and uses of some of the key sources of information you may use.

Start your journey

University library stacks

Dictionaries and encyclopaedias

When and how to use these general reference resources

Student picking up a book from the library shelf

Books

Explore the differences between textbooks and monographs

Student browsing the journal stacks with a red light

Journals

Journals or periodicials are an essential source for up-to-date research findings

 

George Green Library study space and bookshelves

Conference papers

Locating conference papers, presentations and posters from around the world

Manuscripts and Special Collections

Theses

Original research produced by postgraduate researchers worldwide

Academic member of staff reading a book

Reports

Where to read reports about current views of specific topics or issues

 

Students picking up newspapers

Newspapers

Discover the merits of newspapers as a source of information for primary research

Student reading a book

Patents and standards

Explore these legal documents for inventions and technical definitions

Manuscripts and Special Collections

Manuscripts and archives

Learn more about special collections and how to access them

 

Useful links

 

 

Further support

 

 

Studying Effectively

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