BIO-101 Gen. Biology (Primary & Secondary Literature)

Before you start searching, determine what you need to find.  This will help you to identify reliable sources and streamline your searching.  Ask questions, if you are unsure.

The laboratory manual for BIO-101 gives you the following parameters:

• The primary and secondary articles should be about the same topic.
• The two selected articles should be tracking the work of the same researcher.  That researcher would be mentioned in the secondary source article and would be the author of the primary source article.  (Hint: Secondary source articles should be dated AFTER the primary source articles.)
• The content (topic) should relate to concepts covered in BIO-101.  Look at your syllabus for ideas, or talk to your professor.
• Human topics are not to be accepted, unless approved by your professor.

Primary literature is most commonly found in journals.  Scientists report directly on their research, often including method, data, conclusion, etc.  Patent disclosures may also contain primary research.

Secondary literature includes textbooks, articles reviewing research, compilations of data, books, summaries, etc.  These types of articles often summarize primary research.  Secondary articles are not written by the (original) researcher. 

Profs. Edith Sirianni and Lynn Schott both contributed to the content of this guide.  Professor Sirianni retired from Bergen in 2018.