Page 75 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Information and Literature Survey in Social Sciences

Notes

Caution A primary source of information is also known as the original source of
information.

The following are the key types of conventional and non-conventional primary sources:

Periodicals

The most important form in which new information is disseminated is the periodical. Periodicals were
originated in the middle of 17th century, with the dawn of modern science, when the need arose, for
rapid dissemination of brief reports based on the experiments and observations that were beginning
to engage the attention of a part of the scholarly community.

Research Reports
After periodicals the research report is among the important primary sources. Research reports are
the unpublished reports of sponsored research.

Conference Papers

Another very useful medium of communication for the scientific community is the conference papers.
The papers are presented by specialists in different fields and contain a new concept or solution to
problems, which may be of much importance.

Patents

Patent are also a very important source of primary information. They contain the information about
new discoveries and inventions. This is not generally published in any other form or in accepted
printed media. They are frequently used by scientists and technologies to gather information and
knowledge about the quality of a product of materials of engineering and technology and of methods
of testing.

Standards

Standards are a different kind of information source which is equally important for specific
requirements.

Trade Literature

Information, which is in the form of product catalogues. Information on processes and materials,
guides, manuals, house journals etc., the main purpose of which is product advertisement, is also a
source of primary information.

Thesis

Another primary source, which is of much importance, is thesis and dissertations. They are the results
of PhD. Work and M. Phil. Degrees.

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