Primary Source Materials

7. RESEARCH PROCESS

INTRODUCTION

A primary source provides direct or first-hand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources provide the original materials on which other research is based and enable students and other researchers to get as close as possible to what actually happened during a particular event or time period. Published materials can be viewed as primary resources if they come from the time period that is being discussed, and were written or produced by someone with first-hand experience of the event. Often primary sources reflect the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer. Primary sources can be written or non-written (sound, pictures, etc.). In scientific research, primary sources

These original documents (i.e., they are not about another document or account) are often diaries, letters, memoirs, journals, speeches, manuscripts, interviews and other such unpublished works. Whether conducting research in the social sciences, humanities (especially history), arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential. Basically, this distinction illustrates the degree to which the author of a piece is removed from the actual event being described, informing the reader as to whether the author is reporting impressions first hand or conveying the experiences and opinions of others—that is, second

The provision of information to terminally ill patients and their families within the context of obligations for full disclosure can cause uncertainty. In some cultures physicians or families, or both, deem full disclosure to be prejudicial to the patient. The need for specific attention to cultural assumptions that may affect communication has been highlighted. Breaking bad news is a complex communication task, affecting the patient's comprehension, satisfaction with care, and level of hopefulness. A patient's dissatisfaction with information is often related to doctor-patient interaction. Context as well as process is important. Communication difficulties include lack of involvement of the patient in discussions, inadequate provision of information to the patient and family, and the physician's discomfort in sharing information, particularly about prognosis. Individualised assessment of needs and expectations is recommended as few characteristics of the patient predict his or her need for information. Information about prognosis should respect individual coping styles of patients and relatives and has been reported as important to families of patients in palliative care. A qualitative study of informal caregivers of patients with terminal cancer recommended an individualised approach to address needs for information about the illness and