Primary Research vs. Secondary Research

Types of PRIMARY Research:

--Most Scientific Studies (scientific method, controlled experimentation)

--Marketing Studies (Surveys, Focus Groups, Interviews)

--Oral Histories

--Literary/Film Research and Analysis

--Others?

SECONDARY Research =

Consulting Experts who have done primary research and/or secondary research

Even scientific studies will also include a "REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE"

Which will you be doing?

PRIMARY SOURCES VS. SECONDARY SOURCES

Examples of PRIMARY SOURCES:

--A Literary Text (novel, poem, short story, play)

--Film

--Autobiography, Journal, Diary

--Interview/Oral History

--Speech

--Text of a Law, Regulation

--Others?

Examples of SECONDARY SOURCES:

--Most Scholarly Books

--Book Review, Critical Essay

--Movie Review, Critical Essay

--Critical Biography

--History text

--Encyclopedia

--Many, many others

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