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BIOL 54: Human Understanding

What is a Primary Source in Biology?

A primary source in biology...

Reports original findings and ideas -----> look for the "methods" section in the article or book chapter
Generally takes the form of research papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Book chapters may also be a primary source

More info and other types of primary sources in the sciences: http://library.albany.edu/infolit/prisci

What is Peer-Reviewed?

Ulrich's Periodicals Directory This link opens in a new window
Ulrich's™ is the authoritative source of bibliographic and publisher information for 300,000+ periodicals (open access. peer reviewed, newsletters, etc). Includes active titles, suspended titles, ceased titles (from 1974), and forthcoming titles.

Anali Perry, a librarian from Arizona State University Libraries, gives a quick definition of a peer-reviewed article.

Is your article peer-reviewed? Here's how to check:

Go to a database called Ulrich's Periodicals Directory
Type or copy and paste in the --title of the journal-- that your article has been published in (refer to citation below)
Look at "Referred". If "yes" then the journal is peer-reviewed