Science fields are centered around sources just like any other field. Using them in your papers is essential to show how your thinking builds on the scholarship of your field. However, the sources function differently because of the importance of experimentation. As a result, sources are not treated equally in terms of their authority: peer-reviewed primary research articles are the most highly valued. Peer-reviewed review articles are also highly valued.

Types of Published Sources

Peer-reviewed primary research articles

Peer-reviewed review articles

Chapters in edited books

Books from university or popular presses

Websites maintained by government agencies or foundations that collate descriptive statistics (like the NIH or the CDC)


Two key issues you need to address when using sources are