Idea
Scientific research starts in a variety of ways. A scientist may be inspired by previous research, an article in a journal or magazine, a seminar, or a conversation with another scientist and is then intrigued enough to pursue the idea more thoroughly through research.

Research
Before conducting original research (an experiment testing a hypothesis), a scientist must become familiar with what is already understood about a given topic.  To accomplish this, a scientist must first review information already available in library literature (journals, magazines, books), develop a well-defined hypothesis, and test it through experimentation.

Discussion
Once research has been conducted, a scientist may share findings with other colleagues through informal discussions in seminars and meetings or via email.

Primary Literature
A significant stage of the information process occurs when findings are published in primary literature (journal articles and conference proceedings), the earliest formal information available.  In primary literature, current research supports and builds on the conclusions of past research. Especially important in this category are peer-reviewed journals. Geared towards a specialized audience, peer-reviewed journals are the most widely respected sources of primary information since other scientists select research articles that are worthy of being published and that contribute new information to the field.  Examples include Journal of the American Chemical Society, Macromolecules, and Journal of Chromatography.

Secondary Literature
After new findings are presented in primary literature, information is condensed and then reported in secondary sources (books, review articles in magazines and journals, annual reviews in edited books) for a more general audience like students.  Founded on firmly grounded research, information presented at this level is integral to science instruction.  Examples include Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Crystallography Reviews, Advances in Physical Organic Chemistry, and Organic Reaction Mechanisms.

Tertiary Literature
Tertiary literature consists of handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference tools. Information published at this stage is firmly accepted by the scientific community.  Examples include the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Chemist’s Ready Reference Handbook, Catalog Handbook of Fine Chemicals, and Aldrich Library of NMR Spectra.