Research
When preparing to write or speak about a topic, your first step is to gather information. You will need to do research to ensure that you provide your audience with sufficient background information and support your claims.
Doing research involves more than finding a few books or articles on a topic; a researcher’s job is to find useful, relevant, and reliable information, which can be challenging. This chapter will help by providing an introduction to research terminology and the research process.
Primary and Secondary Sources
You may hear sources described as either “primary” or “secondary,” and understanding this distinction can help you assess what types of information are useful for your various needs.
Primary Research
new research, carried out to acquire data first-hand rather from previously published sources to answer specific questions or issues and discover knowledge
A primary source is one that is original and first-hand. This has different meanings depending on the disciplinary context, but generally refers to the product of someone’s original work, such as the results of a scientist’s study, or an author’s novel. You may access published primary sources in introductory college courses like this one, and you will definitely do so as you progress in your discipline. Keep in mind that primary sources are generally factual rather than analysis or interpretation, although not in all cases.
Primary Sources
information that is first-hand or straight from the source; information that is unfiltered by interpretation or editing
In your research, you more frequently use secondary sources, which are articles, books, and websites that involve analysis or interpretation of primary sources. While a scientific study would be a primary source, a magazine article about the findings of that study would be considered a secondary source.
Secondary Sources
information that is not directly from the first-hand source; information that has been compiled, filtered, edited, or interpreted in some way
Whether you use a primary or a secondary source depends on our purpose, topic, audience, and context. If you engage in undergraduate research in your junior or senior year and present at a conference, you will be expect- ed to have some primary research. However, for most of your college work, you will be looking for reliable secondary sources. One way to assess the quality of a secondary source is to look at its references or bibliography. A reliable source will cite other sources to support its claims. Likewise, a well-researched speech will provide support for its argument by using evidence obtained from reliable sources.
Most researchers begin their work by evaluating the current information that exists on their topic. They may look at a combination of primary and secondary sources during this process. Their goal is to find out what is currently known about a topic and where the research may be headed. Students completing a research-based assignment will begin much the same way.
Research as an Avenue for Curiosity
As you think about your course of study, what fascinates you most in the world, and what you’d like to share with your audience, begin to get curious. Get curious about learning more, taking advantage of the Pikes Peak State College library to explore articles from professionals in the field, and keep asking great questions. In the Tedx Talk, examine both the importance of curiosity as well as the approach to this presentation from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs student Abby Graese.
