What Is Another Way to Say “Secondary Source”?

Looking for synonyms for secondary source? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say secondary source.

  • Indirect source
  • Secondhand account
  • Scholarly interpretation
  • Historical analysis
  • Review article
  • Commentary
  • Critique
  • Summary
  • Synthesis
  • Bibliographic source
  • Literature review
  • Academic summary
  • Analytical report
  • Compiled research
  • Expository writing

Want to learn how to say secondary source professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Indirect Source

Refers to information derived from the original material or direct observations.

  • Example: The researcher used an indirect source to support the hypothesis, citing a study that analyzed historical weather patterns.

2. Secondhand Account

Describes information that comes from another person’s narration or interpretation rather than from direct experience.

  • Example: The history book provided a secondhand account of the event, compiled from letters and diaries of those who witnessed it.

3. Scholarly Interpretation

Refers to an academic’s analysis or explanation of primary source materials.

  • Example: The paper included a scholarly interpretation of ancient legal texts to argue for their influence on modern law.

4. Historical Analysis

Involves examining past events, contexts, and perspectives through secondary sources.

  • Example: The thesis was based on a historical analysis of economic policies during the Great Depression.

5. Review Article

A comprehensive synthesis of research on a particular topic, often found in academic journals.

  • Example: The review article provided an overview of recent findings in genetic engineering.

6. Commentary

Offers opinions or explanations about a subject or primary source material.

  • Example: The documentary featured commentary from experts to provide context to the archival footage.

7. Critique

A detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory.

  • Example: The critique of the novel focused on its themes of freedom and responsibility.

8. Summary

A brief statement or account of the main points of something, often a secondary source summarizing primary data.

  • Example: The research report began with a summary of the key findings from numerous case studies.

9. Synthesis

Combines information from different sources to create a cohesive understanding of a topic.

  • Example: The student’s thesis presented a synthesis of various theories on climate change adaptation.

10. Bibliographic Source

Refers to a document that lists references used in compiling a work.

  • Example: The author included a bibliographic source at the end of the book, detailing all referenced works.

11. Literature Review

An evaluative report of information found in the literature related to the researcher’s selected study area.

  • Example: The dissertation included a literature review that examined previous research on behavioral finance.

12. Academic Summary

A concise overview of the main arguments and conclusions of a scholarly work.

  • Example: The conference presentation began with an academic summary of the research paper’s findings.

13. Analytical Report

A document that provides an in-depth analysis of a topic, often using secondary sources for evidence.

  • Example: The policy analyst prepared an analytical report on housing affordability, drawing from various studies and surveys.

14. Compiled Research

A collection of information gathered from multiple sources on a specific subject.

  • Example: The book chapter represented compiled research on renewable energy technologies from the last decade.

15. Expository Writing

Writing that explains or sets forth ideas, often based on the investigation of secondary sources.

  • Example: The article was an example of expository writing, clarifying complex legal issues for a general audience.

Linda Brown