Publication types
Different types of publications have different characteristics:
- Primary Literature
- Primary literature is authored by the researchers, contains original research data, and is usually published in a peer-reviewed journal. Primary literature may also include conference papers, pre-prints, or preliminary reports. The intended audience of primary literature includes researchers and specialists, not the general public.
- Secondary Literature
- Secondary literature consists of organized works and compilations that are derived from or refer to the primary source literature. Examples of secondary literature include review articles (specifically meta-analysis and systematic reviews) and reference works. Professionals within each discipline take the primary literature and synthesize, generalize, and integrate new research. The intended audience of secondary literature consists of colleagues within the respective discipline, as well as interested colleagues from other fields.
- Tertiary Literature
- Tertiary literature consists of textbooks, encyclopedia articles, and guidebooks or handbooks. The purpose of tertiary literature is to provide an overview of key research findings and an introduction to principles and practices within the discipline. Thus, this type of publication is an excellent resource for students.
- Popular Media
- The purpose of health sciences popular literature is to inform the general public about new research findings, prevention, and treatment. Popular media is often found in popular magazines, radio, newspapers, television, and web sites. The author need not be an expert in the discipline, and the aim is to summarize key concepts for the general public.
Keep in mind that scholarly journals can contain all four types of literature ranging from original research to opinion pieces. A core principle of Evidence-Based Dentistry, however, is to look at the primary and secondary literature (scholarly literature) for the best evidence to inform clinical practice.
Scholarly Journals |
Popular Media |
|
| Purpose | * Report original research in a specific field or discipline | * Inform readers about general topics * Summarize key research findings |
| Authors | * Researchers and scholars of the field or discipline * Often more than one author |
* Usually one author who is employed by the media outlet; for example, a magazine * Author not necessarily an expert in the field |
| References | * References cited as footnotes or as a bibliography | * Usually do not have any cited references |
| Access | * Library or institutional subscription * Professional association membership | * Personal subscription * Individual purchase |
| Audience | * Researchers and scholars in the field or discipline | * General public, non-expert readers |
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