Which type of source is primarily used during the background research step of the described process?

• A. Secondary sources
• B. Primary sources
• C. Tertiary sources
• D. Peer-reviewed journals

Answer: (A)

When you’re doing background research, the goal is to get an overview of what’s already known and how scholars have interpreted and organized that knowledge. Secondary sources are best for this because they summarize, analyze, and synthesize findings from primary sources. They help you see the big picture, understand common conclusions, and spot gaps or questions to explore further. Textbooks, review articles, and meta-analyses are common examples of these sources, providing context without requiring you to read every original study.

Primary sources, in contrast, present original data or firsthand observations. They’re essential when you need specific evidence or to trace exactly how conclusions were drawn, but they’re typically read after you’ve built a general understanding. Tertiary sources offer broad overviews that summarize secondary sources, which is useful for quick orientation but not as in-depth for forming the background. Peer-reviewed journals are publication venues that can include both primary studies and review articles; using review articles within journals aligns with drawing on secondary sources for background.