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Information sources at BUAN library: Information Sources

This guide is meant to introduce users to the various information sources found at BUAN library, to assist users select and evaluate information sources to suit their research queries.

Sources of Information

An information source may be described as anything that provides information to someone, that is anything that information comes from, arises or is obtained from. 

BUAN library has different information sources used to provide information on different subject areas and to support the teaching, learning and research mandate of the University. It is of utmost importance to familiarise oneself with the sources the library has in order to be able to effectively select the relevant and useful sources for one’s research. 

There are three types of information sources, these are:

  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Tertiary sources.

These are first-hand accounts or individual representations and creative works. They are created by those who have directly witnessed what they are describing, and bring us as close to the original event or thought as possible without being filtered, influenced or analysed through interpretation. 

Features

  • They are current
  • Present original report on discoveries
  • Do not analyse works of others
  • Provide new knowledge
  • 1st hand information from source
  • Never republished
  • 1st published record
  • They are unfiltered
  • May be published/ unpublished

Examples

  • Speeches
  • Diaries
  • Email
  • Memoirs
  • Trade literature
  • Newspaper articles

These are a build off of primary sources with more extensive and in-depth analysis, they are compiled from primary sources. They summarize, evaluate and analytically interpret primary material, often by offering a personal perspective. 

Features

  • They are a collection of millions of facts
  • In-depth analysis of a topic
  • Modified and organised
  • Designed to answer specific queries
  • Describe, interpret and analyse primary sources
  • Guide researchers back to original source by providing bibliography at the end

Examples

  • Textbooks
  • Reference books (Encyclopaedias & dictionaries)
  • Guide to literature
  • Bibliographies

Tertiary Sources are distillations and collections of primary and secondary sources.

Features

  • Key to primary & secondary sources
  • Reliable
  • Accurate
  • Give factual representation
  • They are not points of view, critiques or persuasions

Examples

  • Directories
  • Almanacs
  • Yearbooks
  • Catalogs
  • Indexes
  • Abstracts

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