Tertiary source
A consolidation of sources without additional interpretation or analysis.
A tertiary source is a compilation or index of previously published primary and secondary sources, offering no new interpretation or analysis. It can help locate seminal works, key terms, general knowledge, and established scientific consensus on a subject. The precise meaning of "tertiary" depends on the academic discipline.
In academic research, tertiary sources like encyclopedias are generally not accepted as citations, though survey articles are often cited instead of the original publication.
The line between secondary and tertiary sources is not always clear, much like the distinction between primary and secondary sources in some fields. Depending on the research topic, a scholar might treat a bibliography, dictionary, or encyclopedia as either secondary or tertiary. This makes it difficult to definitively classify many sources. In some disciplines, the difference is relative. Under the UNISIST model, a secondary source is a bibliography, while a tertiary source is a synthesis of primary sources.
Tertiary sources may be in book form, often organized alphabetically, or online, where they are searchable by keyword. Examples include reference books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, some textbooks, abstracts, directories, factbooks, handbooks, manuals, and compendia. Indexes, bibliographies, concordances, and databases aggregate primary and secondary sources and are often considered tertiary; they may also provide access to full or partial texts of those sources. Almanacs, travel guides, field guides, and timelines are further examples. Tertiary sources aim to summarize, collect, and consolidate material into an overview without adding new analysis or conclusions. Wikipedia is a tertiary source.
- Field
- Information science, academic research
- Known for
- Summarizing and consolidating primary and secondary sources without adding analysis
- Examples
- Encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, indexes, handbooks, compendia
- Academic acceptance
- Generally not accepted as citations in academic research standards
Lore & Background
Tertiary sources can come in book form or as an online resource. In book form they are frequently organized in alphabetical order, whereas an online tertiary source may be searchable by keyword. Examples include reference books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, some textbooks, abstracts, directories, factbooks, handbooks, manuals, and compendia. Indexes, bibliographies, concordances, and databases are aggregates of primary and secondary sources and therefore often considered tertiary sources. Almanacs, travel guides, field guides, and timelines are also examples. Wikipedia is a tertiary source.
Reader's Guide
Tertiary sources serve as a point of access to the full or partial text of primary and secondary sources, attempting to summarize, collect, and consolidate source materials into an overview without adding analysis or synthesis of new conclusions. The exact definition of tertiary varies by academic field, and there is not always a clear distinguishing line between secondary and tertiary sources. Depending on the topic of research, a scholar may use a bibliography, dictionary, or encyclopedia as either a tertiary or a secondary source. In some academic disciplines, the differentiation between a secondary and tertiary source is relative. In the UNISIS model, a secondary source is a bibliography, whereas a tertiary source is a synthesis of primary sources. Academic research standards generally do not accept tertiary sources such as encyclopedias as citations, although survey articles are frequently cited rather than the original publication.
Did You Know?
- Some tertiary sources can be used as an aid to find key (seminal) sources, key terms, general common knowledge and established mainstream science on a topic.
- Wikipedia is a tertiary source.
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