It is also important to understand the different types of information that can be researched in different areas of study.
| Discipline | Humanities | Sciences | Social Sciences |
| Purpose of Research | To understand and analyze the meaning of individual events, people, and creative works | To observe and understand natural phenomena | To solve social problems and understand group interactions |
| Research Methodology | Qualitative | Quantitative | Qualitative, Quantitative |
| Examples of Primary Sources | Creative works, diaries, letters, interviews, news footage | Results of experiments, research and clinical trials | Census data, statistics, results of experiments of human behavior |
| Examples of Secondary and Tertiary Sources | Books, journal articles, textbooks, reference material | Books, journal articles, textbooks, reference material | Books, journal articles, textbooks, reference material |
