NRHL 3315: Perspectives of Professional Nursing Practice: Part 1: Primary vs Secondary Sources

Primary sources for nursing theory are those created by the nurse theorist.

IT is important to remember that definitions are dependent on context. In the health sciences which nursing falls under this definition is apt. In general  a primary source is an original object or document-- the raw material or first-hand information, source material that is closest to what is being studied.

Examples

• Book authored by nurse theorist
• Journal article authored by nurse theorist
• Interview with nurse theorist

Secondary sources for nursing theory are those created by someone else about the nurse theorist or about the theory.

Again the definition is contextual. General definition in the health sciences is:

A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. That means the information is once removed from the original source.

Examples

• Book chapter about nurse theorist written by someone else
• Journal article about the nursing theory in a particular setting