Which type of documentation identifies, locates, and synthesizes primary and secondary sources?

• A. Tertiary documentation
• B. Primary documentation
• C. Secondary documentation
• D. Reference manual

Answer: (A)

Identifying, locating, and synthesizing primary and secondary sources describes tertiary documentation. Tertiary sources pull together information from both original materials and the analyses of those materials, then present an overview that helps you see what exists and where to find it. They often include bibliographies, encyclopedias, and reference guides that summarize and organize knowledge rather than presenting new findings or simple critiques.

Primary documentation consists of original works or firsthand evidence, like original research reports or artifacts. Secondary documentation analyzes or interprets those primary sources, such as reviews or scholarly articles that discuss the originals. A reference manual is a practical guide for using a tool, system, or product, not a compilation of sources. So the option described is best understood as tertiary documentation.