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IPC 401: Research in Health Care Guide: Reading and Understanding Research

Research Concepts

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

Study Guide for Critically Reading a Research Article

Primary vs Secondary Sources

Primary sources are original materials or evidence. In your field, you may be looking for "primary research articles," or articles that describe a study and provide the study results. An example of a primary source is a randomized controlled trial.

Secondary sources analyze, interpret or synthesize the primary materials. An example of a secondary source is a systematic review. These reviews compile randomized controlled trials and other studies to provide the reader with a picture of the research on a specific topic. 

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