To handle secondary sources using keywords effectively, extract the specific terminology the authors use to describe the original study, and plug those terms into academic databases to track down the primary research.
Secondary sources—such as literature reviews, meta-analyses, and academic textbooks—are excellent starting points for a literature search. They synthesize existing knowledge, but in academic writing, you should always aim to read and cite the original data. By strategically using keywords found within these texts, you can easily trace secondary claims back to their primary origins.
How to Mine Secondary Sources with Keywords
1. Extract Highly Specific Terminology
When reading a secondary source, pay close attention to the exact phrases used to describe a previous study’s variables, methodologies, or unique theoretical frameworks. Broad topic keywords will return too many results, but highly specific methodological terms will help you pinpoint the exact study being discussed.
2. Track Down the Primary Source
Once you have your refined keywords, use them to search for the original paper. While traditional databases often require complex Boolean strings to get good results, WisPaper's Scholar Search understands your actual research intent rather than just matching exact keywords, filtering out the noise to help you locate the primary paper instantly.
3. Cross-Reference with the Bibliography
Always verify your keyword search results against the secondary source’s reference list. Match the author names, publication year, and journal title to confirm you have found the correct original study.
4. Discover Newer Research
You can also use the core keywords from a secondary source to map out newer literature. Take the terminology established in the review article and combine it with your own research variables to see how the field has evolved since that secondary source was published.
Best Practices for Citing Secondary Sources
The golden rule of academic research is to always find, read, and cite the primary source. You cannot fully evaluate a study's methodology or limitations if you are relying on another author's interpretation.
However, if the original paper is out of print, behind an inaccessible paywall, or written in a language you cannot read, you may need to cite it as a secondary source. When this happens, ensure you follow your required style guide closely. In APA format, for example, you would name the original work in your text, but your parenthetical citation and reference list should only point to the secondary source you actually read, using the phrase "as cited in" to maintain academic integrity.
