How do I tell if a source is tertiary?

Your research problem and the way you use a source will determine whether it is tertiary.

The following questions can help you evaluate whether something is a tertiary source:

  • Is the source itself the object of analysis (primary or secondary), or does it only provide background information (tertiary)?
  • Does the source give a firsthand account or original data (primary) or interpret other sources (secondary)? Or does it list or summarize information from other sources (tertiary)?