Step 1: Exploring Information Sources.Information sources are classified by their level of originality and proximity to the initial event or research. These sources fall into three primary categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Step 2: Source Definitions: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Primary Sources: Original, firsthand records of an event or research. Examples: patents, theses, research reports, original artworks.} \\ \bullet & \text{Secondary Sources: Analyze, interpret, or summarize primary source information. Examples: textbooks, review articles, biographies.} \\ \bullet & \text{Tertiary Sources: Compile, index, or organize information from both primary and secondary sources for easier access. They serve as guides, offering no new data.} \\ \end{array}\]
Step 3: Encyclopedia Articles: A Classification.An encyclopedia article presents a summary of existing information on a topic, gathered from multiple sources. Because it synthesizes existing knowledge rather than presenting original research, it is classified as a tertiary source.