Academic Source Classification and Critical Evaluation

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 in Political Sciences

The Importance of Academic Sources

Sources are fundamental to academic rigor and provide:

• Credibility: Proof of academic rigor.
• Perspectives: Balance of views.
• Depth: Analysis beyond surface knowledge.

Maximizing Marks with Source Use

Correct use of primary and secondary sources leads to higher marks in:

• Criteria A: Focus and Method
• Criteria C: Critical Thinking

Defining Primary Sources

Direct, first-hand evidence created at the time under study; not interpreted by another author.

Examples of Primary Sources

• History: Official documents, diaries, speeches, treaties.
• Sciences: Lab results, raw data, field notes.

Defining Secondary Sources

Interpretations, analysis, or commentary about primary sources. They provide context, critique, or synthesis.

Examples of Secondary Sources

• History: History textbooks, journal articles analyzing events.

Key Differences Between Source Types

Primary Sources

First-hand evidence, original raw material, authentic, unfiltered. Needed for direct evidence.

Secondary Sources

Second-hand interpretation, commentary, critique, or evaluation. Provides explanation and context. Needed for analysis.

Source Classification by Level

• Primary: Experiments, interviews, historical documents. First-hand evidence.
• Secondary: Articles, books, documentaries. Analysis or interpretation.
• Tertiary: Encyclopedias, indexes. Summarizes primary and secondary sources.

Other Essential Source Classifications

Evaluating Source Reliability and Value (OPVL)

When selecting sources, students should critically assess four key areas:

1. Origin: Who produced it? When was it created? Why?
2. Purpose: What was its intended audience or function?
3. Value: What unique perspective or evidence does it provide?
4. Limitations: Does it exhibit bias, lack context, or have reliability issues?

Subject-Specific Source Requirements

Humanities Extended Essay (EE) Sources

History EE

• Primary: Archives, government records, personal letters, newspapers from the period.
• Secondary: Historians’ interpretations, academic articles.

Literature EE

• Primary: Novels, plays, poems (original works).
• Secondary: Literary criticism, journals, contextual essays.

Philosophy EE

• Primary: Philosophical texts (Plato, Kant, etc.).
• Secondary: Commentaries, secondary philosophical debate.

Sciences Extended Essay (EE) Sources

Biology, Chemistry, Physics EE

• Primary: Experimental data, lab work, field research.
• Secondary: Peer-reviewed scientific journals, reviews, databases.

Environmental Systems & Societies EE

• Primary: Field studies, environmental measurements, surveys.
• Secondary: Reports from NGOs, government statistics, scientific publications.

Individuals & Societies Extended Essay (EE) Sources

Business Management EE

• Primary: Interviews, company reports, surveys, financial data.
• Secondary: IB case studies, textbooks, analyst reports.

Economics EE

• Primary: Government data, market data, official statistics.
• Secondary: Journal articles, economic theories, IMF/World Bank reports.

Psychology EE

• Primary: Experimental data, case studies, participant observations.
• Secondary: Psychological theories, meta-analyses, review articles.

Arts Extended Essay (EE) Sources

Visual Arts EE

• Primary: Artworks, portfolios, exhibition catalogs, artist interviews.
• Secondary: Critical reviews, art history journals, curatorial essays.

Theatre EE

• Primary: Scripts, live performance observations, director’s notes.
• Secondary: Theatre reviews, academic critiques.

Music EE

• Primary: Compositions, scores, recordings, performances.
• Secondary: Musicology articles, cultural analyses articles.