Library:WD/ScholarlyCommunication/WhatIsPrimaryLiterature

What is primary literature?

In science, sources that report on original research are known as Primary literature. They include:

• Conference Proceedings: It is common for scientists to present their findings at a conference. These presentations are often written up and published in conference proceedings.

• Journal articles: Journals somewhat resemble magazines in appearance but they report on the findings of scholarly studies. Well-respected journals include articles that are evaluated by other researchers in the field (i.e. peer-reviewed or refereed). Journals can be published in print (i.e. hard copy) or on the web (also known as electronic journals or ejournals).