Primary sources are original research articles (empirical research), meaning that they are written by the researchers who conducted the research. They are most often written once the research is complete or near completion.
- Are often written by professionals in the field or a related discipline.
- Many original research articles found in peer-reviewed journals follow a similar format and usually include an introduction, methods section, results, discussion/conclusion, and references. Look for all of these elements when you are looking for primary sources.
The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines empirical as:
- "derived from or denoting experimentation or systematic observations as the basis for conclusion or determination, as opposed to speculative, theoretical, or exclusively reason-based approaches."
