Research Guides: BIOL 117 Research Guide: Finding Primary Sources

What is a primary source?

From:

Darwin C. c1836. Brassica rapa specimen collected on the voyage of the 'Beagle': Dec. 27, 1831-Oct. 2, 1836 [digital scan]. Cambridge University Herbarium. [uploaded 2014; accessed 2017 March 30]. Available from http://cambridgeherbarium.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CGE03064.jpg.

PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS

Original material
First-hand evidence or account
Created while it's happening
Created by person who was there

Examples: studies, data, maps, first-hand news accounts, diaries, letters, original photos, drawings, speeches, autobiographies

Find studies and other primary sources HERE:

Agricola (Ebscohost)
Created by the United States Department of Agriculture. Contains publications covering agriculture and its allied fields, including animal and veterinary sciences, entomology, plant sciences, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, farming, agriculture economics, extension and education, food and human nutrition, and earth and environmental sciences. (from the National Agricultural Library)
BioOne (discontinued)
Contains journal articles focused on the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. (from Official Website)
ScienceDirect
Contains academic journal articles and ebooks grouped into four main sections: physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities. (from Official Website)

Nature
This journal contains scientific peer-reviewed research articles and studies on a broad range of subjects. Summaries and articles are written so they can be understood by the educated public.

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