Secondary Sources in a Scientific Discipline
Secondary sources provide context, identify trends, and connect research studies. Click the "Next" button to view secondary sources you may come across in your research.
Literature Reviews
Trade Publications
Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis
Government Policy
Books
Next
Literature Reviews
A literature review is a critical summary or analysis of existing research on a specific topic, used to identify trends, gaps, and key findings in the scientific literature. It can exist as a standalone publication or as the introduction section of a research paper.*
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113091
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
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Trade Publications
Periodicals that disseminate practical information, industry news, and trends within specific scientific fields, targeting professionals and practitioners rather than focusing on original research. They are distinct from scholarly or peer-reviewed journals, which are the primary venues for publishing novel scientific findings.*
https://www.asme.org/membership/mechanical-engineering-magazine
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
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Systematic Review
A systematic review in science is a rigorous and comprehensive synthesis of research evidence addressing a specific research question. Usually, it is peer-reviewed. It involves systematically identifying, selecting, critically appraising, and synthesizing relevant primary research studies using transparent and reproducible methods. This process aims to minimize bias and provide a reliable and objective summary of the existing evidence.*
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278612524000621
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Learn more about systematic reviews here:
https://guides.lib.byu.edu/systematicreviews
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Meta-Analysis
A science meta-analysis study is a type of research that combines the results of multiple, independent studies to draw a more robust conclusion than any single study could achieve. Technically, a meta-analysis is in-between a primary and secondary source because any original research is a primary source. It involves systematically identifying, selecting, and statistically synthesizing the findings of existing research to provide a comprehensive overview of a particular research question.*
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8245156/
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
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Government Policy
Governments provide funding to research institutions like universities and national labs, influencing the direction and focus of scientific inquiry. Policies like those governing drug development, environmental protection, and food safety directly impact how science is conducted and applied.*
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC?state=US
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
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Books
Though sometimes considered a tertiary source, generally, books are considered a secondary source because they analyze, interpret, and summarize primary research rather than presenting original findings. Science books typically synthesize and explain these primary sources for a broader audience.*
Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, by Henry Sanderson
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
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Transcript
Secondary Sources in a Scientific Discipline
Secondary sources provide context, identify trends, and connect research studies. Click the "Next" button to view secondary sources you may come across in your research.
Literature Reviews
Trade Publications
Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis
Government Policy
Books
Next
Literature Reviews
A literature review is a critical summary or analysis of existing research on a specific topic, used to identify trends, gaps, and key findings in the scientific literature. It can exist as a standalone publication or as the introduction section of a research paper.*
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113091
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Next
Back
Trade Publications
Periodicals that disseminate practical information, industry news, and trends within specific scientific fields, targeting professionals and practitioners rather than focusing on original research. They are distinct from scholarly or peer-reviewed journals, which are the primary venues for publishing novel scientific findings.*
https://www.asme.org/membership/mechanical-engineering-magazine
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Back
Next
Systematic Review
A systematic review in science is a rigorous and comprehensive synthesis of research evidence addressing a specific research question. Usually, it is peer-reviewed. It involves systematically identifying, selecting, critically appraising, and synthesizing relevant primary research studies using transparent and reproducible methods. This process aims to minimize bias and provide a reliable and objective summary of the existing evidence.*
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278612524000621
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Learn more about systematic reviews here:
https://guides.lib.byu.edu/systematicreviews
Back
Next
Meta-Analysis
A science meta-analysis study is a type of research that combines the results of multiple, independent studies to draw a more robust conclusion than any single study could achieve. Technically, a meta-analysis is in-between a primary and secondary source because any original research is a primary source. It involves systematically identifying, selecting, and statistically synthesizing the findings of existing research to provide a comprehensive overview of a particular research question.*
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8245156/
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Back
Next
Government Policy
Governments provide funding to research institutions like universities and national labs, influencing the direction and focus of scientific inquiry. Policies like those governing drug development, environmental protection, and food safety directly impact how science is conducted and applied.*
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC?state=US
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Next
Back
Books
Though sometimes considered a tertiary source, generally, books are considered a secondary source because they analyze, interpret, and summarize primary research rather than presenting original findings. Science books typically synthesize and explain these primary sources for a broader audience.*
Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, by Henry Sanderson
*Generated by Google AI, 8/18/25
Back
Start Over