Secondary sources are materials that analyze, interpret, or summarize primary data or original research, often used to support social science studies.
What Are Secondary Sources?
In social science research, secondary sources are materials that discuss, explain, or build upon original data or research findings. Instead of presenting new, firsthand data, these sources analyze or interpret information collected by others. Secondary sources help researchers understand the broader context of a topic, compare different studies, or gain insights without starting from scratch.
Unlike primary sources, which include raw data, original studies, or firsthand accounts, secondary sources come one step later in the research process. They rely on the work of others and are often found in books, literature reviews, scholarly articles, reports, and documentaries.
Secondary sources are essential in social science because they help researchers:
- Identify patterns across multiple studies
- Understand the history of a topic
- Support their arguments with established knowledge
- Evaluate and critique existing theories or methods
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
To understand secondary sources, it helps to compare them to primary sources.
Primary Sources
These are the original materials created at the time of the research or event. In social sciences, examples include:
- Surveys, interviews, or experiments conducted by the researcher
- Field notes or ethnographic observations
- Official records like census data or police reports
- Original scholarly research articles presenting new findings
Secondary Sources
These are works that examine, interpret, or summarize primary sources. They provide context, analysis, or commentary. Common secondary sources include:
- Literature reviews in academic journals
- Books that discuss or explain social theories
- Research summaries or reports produced by organizations
- Documentaries or news features that analyze social issues
- Meta-analyses that combine results from several studies
While primary sources offer direct access to original data, secondary sources provide the tools to understand and evaluate that data.
Examples of Secondary Sources in Social Science
Secondary sources appear in many forms across disciplines such as sociology, psychology, political science, education, anthropology, and criminology.
Sociology
A textbook chapter explaining Émile Durkheim’s theory of suicide is a secondary source. It summarizes and interprets Durkheim’s original work rather than presenting new findings.
Psychology
A review article comparing different studies on the effects of childhood trauma is a secondary source. It helps readers see patterns across multiple primary studies.
Political Science
An analysis of election trends in a political science book is a secondary source if it is based on previously published voting data or exit polls.
Education
A policy report reviewing how standardized testing affects school outcomes is a secondary source, especially if it uses data collected by school districts or other researchers.
Criminology
A criminology journal article discussing the rise of restorative justice programs, using data from earlier case studies or police records, is also a secondary source.
How Secondary Sources Are Used in Research
Secondary sources are not just background reading—they play an active role in the research process. Social scientists use secondary sources to:
Build Context
Before conducting a new study, researchers need to understand what has already been discovered. Secondary sources help place new questions in context by summarizing earlier findings and showing where knowledge gaps exist.
Support Arguments
Researchers often cite secondary sources to support claims in their writing. These sources provide expert opinions, tested theories, and summaries of evidence that strengthen an argument.
Conduct Literature Reviews
Literature reviews, a common section in research papers, rely heavily on secondary sources. They help explain the current state of knowledge and identify the need for new research.
Evaluate Theories
By comparing multiple secondary sources, researchers can evaluate how well a theory explains a social phenomenon. For example, a political scientist might analyze different scholars’ views on voter suppression to see which theory has the most support.
Save Time and Resources
In many cases, researchers do not have the time, budget, or access to collect their own data. Secondary sources allow them to use existing data to explore new questions or add depth to their findings.
Strengths of Secondary Sources
Secondary sources offer several advantages in social science research:
Efficient Use of Existing Knowledge
They allow researchers to access and use information that has already been gathered and analyzed. This saves time and makes research more efficient.
Broader Perspective
Secondary sources often compare findings from multiple studies, helping researchers see larger patterns or debates in the field.
Easier Access
Many secondary sources are widely available through libraries, online databases, or public records. This makes them useful for researchers who lack access to original data.
Useful for Teaching and Learning
Because they interpret and explain complex ideas, secondary sources are especially helpful for students and new researchers learning about a topic.
Limitations of Secondary Sources
While secondary sources are useful, they also have limitations that researchers must consider.
Lack of Original Data
Because secondary sources are one step removed from the original data, they may miss important details or context found in primary sources.
Potential for Misinterpretation
Secondary authors may introduce bias, misunderstand the original findings, or selectively report results. Always check whether the interpretation is fair and accurate.
Outdated Information
Some secondary sources may rely on research that is no longer current. Researchers should check the publication date and relevance before using the material.
Limited Use in Original Research
For certain projects—especially those requiring new data collection—secondary sources cannot replace the need for primary research methods.
How to Evaluate a Secondary Source
When using a secondary source in social science, ask the following questions:
- Is the author qualified? Look for academic credentials or professional experience.
- Is the source peer-reviewed? Scholarly journals and academic books usually go through a review process.
- Is the information current? Check the publication date and whether the data still applies.
- Is it objective? Watch for signs of bias or one-sided arguments.
- Are the sources cited? Good secondary sources link back to the primary research they discuss.
These questions help researchers choose sources that are reliable, accurate, and useful for their work.
Secondary Sources in Literature Reviews
Literature reviews are a key part of many research projects. In this section, researchers summarize what is already known about their topic. Most of the sources cited in a literature review are secondary.
For example, in a study on youth mental health, the literature review might include:
- A psychology journal article summarizing previous research on anxiety
- A government report on mental health trends
- A book chapter comparing school-based support programs
By combining these secondary sources, the researcher can explain what is known and highlight areas where more research is needed.
Examples of Secondary Source Use in Social Science
In a Sociology Thesis
A student writing about the impact of immigration policy might use government reports, news articles, and scholarly books to support their arguments. These are all secondary sources that help explain the broader context of the issue.
In a Criminology Paper
A criminologist studying recidivism rates might reference a recent meta-analysis that reviews 30 studies on reentry programs. The meta-analysis is a secondary source that helps interpret trends.
In an Education Policy Brief
A policy researcher might rely on school performance summaries and national test score reports to support their recommendations. These are also secondary sources.
Conclusion
Secondary sources are a crucial part of social science research. They help researchers understand what others have already discovered, build strong arguments, and place new studies in context. While they are not a substitute for primary research, secondary sources add value by offering analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of existing knowledge. Knowing how to find, evaluate, and use secondary sources is an essential skill for every social science researcher.
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Last Modified: 03/27/2025