
Primary Sources: websites, theses, standards and codes
Websites, discussion forums and lists
You will find a lot of information electronically, but you should be careful when you are using the internet as a source as most websites are not quality assessed or peer-reviewed, and anyone can publish on the internet. It is important to use quality information gateways. Many of these are subject specific such as Biz/Ed which gives you access to websites that have been quality assessed. For other portals see your library subject guide.
Other internet sources include discussion lists where experts in particular fields discuss current events or issues affecting their work. Once you have registered with a discussion list you can post questions so you may be able to get in touch with people who can assist you in further research.
The main academic based discussion list service in the UK is called JISCmail. You will find that many professional organisations and societies provide discussion forums where you can access information.
Theses
MSc and PhD theses are a type of grey literature as they are unpublished works. PhD theses will be original research, and as such, a primary source. MSc theses may include some original research, but less so than PhD theses.
They are an important source of primary material as they provide:
- detailed information about research
- a state of the art review
- a comprehensive list of references
The Library holds copies of a small selection of PhD theses completed at Glasgow Caledonian Uniiversity. You can search for older paper-based material using the library catalogue. We now make newer ones available electronically using EThOS (Electronic Theses Online Service) from the British Library.
Standards and codes
These are usually instructions, for example, on what equipment or machinery to use, and are often written by national bodies in consultation with relevant experts and professionals. There are also international and European codes for business and related areas. The British Standards Institution is the UK national body for standards, and has an online service where you can find UK, international and European standards.
You can find Information about standards from: