Types of Sources
1. Tertiary Sources
Tertiary sources are introductory resources such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. These resources give students an introduction to their subject, to various subtopics within a larger topic if they are trying to narrow their topic, to the major voices on a topic, and (often) a bibliography with helpful secondary sources. Students should not spend a significant amount of time evaluating tertiary sources, but they should spend enough time on the tertiary sources to feel comfortable with their topic before moving forward to primary and secondary sources.
2. Primary Sources
The primary source is whatever serves as the primary object of research and the basis of the argument (note: not all papers have a primary source; see the adjacent box for more details). If a student is writing a biblical exegesis paper, then the biblical passage is the primary source. If a student is writing on Martin Luther's doctrine of justification, then Luther's commentaries and sermons are the primary sources. If a student is writing a theology paper, the primary source depends on the angle they take in the paper. If they are attempting to define a doctrine according to the Bible then the Bible is the primary source. However, if they are engaging Karl Barth's doctrine of the church, then Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics will serve as the primary source. Students should evaluate the primary source(s) on their own before reading secondary sources. They should develop their own, original thoughts on the topic. Moreover, they should spend a significant portion of time on this step in the research process.
3. Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are your conversation partners as you study the topic. Examples of secondary sources are books, scholarly monographs, journal articles, and Ph.D. dissertations. These sources help the student understand the topic on a deeper level and develop their own ideas about the topic. Secondary sources can also be broken up into four levels:
Beginner-Level Sources - Broader overviews that help you enter in to the conversation about a given topic and serve as a springboard into more intermediate-level sources in the field. These resources do not assume any prior knowledge of the topic. Examples might include books in the Oxford Very Short Introductions Series, the 40 Questions Series, Counterpoints Series, Short Studies in Systematic Theology Series, and other series like these.
Intermediate-Level Sources - More-detailed, focused, book-length treatments of a topic that take you deeper into the conversation. These resources assume a basic knowledge of the topic. Examples might include books in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology Series, Theology for the People of God Series, or other individual volumes on a topic.
Advanced-Level Sources - Narrow studies of a topic that build on and add nuance to the content of intermediate-level sources. These resources assume a significant knowledge base (key figures, key works, key arguments, and technical terms) in the topic. Examples might include technical books on a topic and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Mastery-Level Sources - Laser-focused studies written for academics. These resources usually include the most nuance and technical language on a given topic, and they assume a firm, expansive grasp on the field. Examples might include PhD dissertations, academic monographs, and academic conference volumes.
We recommend two different research processes. Choosing which process to use depends on the paper requirements outlined in the syllabus. Please be sure to read the adjacent box: Types of Sources.
Consult Tertiary Sources > Evaluate Primary Source(s) > Engage Secondary Sources
In this process, consult tertiary sources to obtain basic knowledge of your topic and to identify potential areas for further study. Then you will evaluate your primary source(s) by reading and studying them carefully to develop your own thoughts about the primary source(s). After that, you will engage secondary sources as conversation partners with your primary source(s) to situate your own perspective within the larger academic conversation. You will likely revise some of your thoughts on the primary source(s) while engaging secondary sources.
Examples of assignments in which you will use this research process:
-Exegetical Paper: Consult Bible dictionaries (tertiary sources), Evaluate the biblical text (primary source), and Engage commentaries and journal articles (secondary sources) on your text.
-Literary Analysis Papers: Consult Oxford Encyclopedias (tertiary sources), Evaluate the literary text (primary source), and Engage monographs and journal articles (secondary sources) on your text.
Consult Tertiary Sources > Engage Secondary Sources
Not all research papers or projects require you to use primary sources. In these instances, we suggest the following process: consult tertiary sources to obtain basic knowledge of your topic and to identify potential areas for further study. After that, you will engage secondary sources as conversation partners on your topic to deepen your understanding of various approaches to that topic and to situate your own perspective within the larger academic conversation. You will likely revise some of your initial thoughts while engaging secondary sources.
Examples of assignments in which you will use this research process:
-Theological Integration Paper: Consult theology dictionaries (tertiary sources) to identify possible theological positions and then engage books and journal articles (secondary sources) to see how various authors defend their positions and to determine your own position on the topic given the evidence.
-Philosophy Paper: Consult philosophy dictionaries (tertiary sources) to identify possible philosophical positions and then engage books and journal articles (secondary sources) to see how various authors defend their positions and to determine your own position on the topic given the evidence.