How do I recognize primary, secondary, and tertiary sources?

Tertiary sources are

• materials in which the information from secondary sources has been reformatted and condensed to put it into a convenient, easy-to-read form.
• works which list primary and secondary resources in a specific subject area.
• works which index, organize and compile citations to primary and/or secondary sources.
• sources which are one step removed in time from secondary sources.

Examples of tertiary sources

• almanacs and fact books
• atlases
• bibliographies
• chronologies
• dictionaries and encyclopedias
• directories
• guidebooks, manuals, etc.
• handbooks and data compilations
• textbooks

Watch this ideo to learn about tertiary sources.

• For help finding resources, use the information in the library's playbooks. Librarians can help you understand the playbooks, but they cannot conduct research for you.
• For help with formatting citations, please consult the library's citation styles playbooks. Please note the librarians cannot help you with citation generators or with any citation guide other than the library's. 
• For help with composition issues (such as spelling, grammar, flow, etc.), please visit the Writing Center.
• If you have questions, please email the  librarians at reference@pvcc.edu, visit the library and speak with a librarian, or connect via chat. If your section has an embedded librarian, contact that specific librarian.