nonsource

Nonsource is a term used in information science and data management to describe information, data, or material that does not originate from a primary source or cannot be traced to one. In practice, nonsource items are derived, aggregated, or compiled from multiple origins and may include secondary reports, synthesized datasets, reviews, or user-generated content that collates original materials.

Origin and usage: The term reflects a distinction between primary sources (the original, first-hand evidence or data) and non-primary materials. Nonsource is not a universally standardized term and is used variably across disciplines to flag potential limitations in provenance and to signal the need for caution in interpretation.

Provenance and reliability: Nonsource data often require explicit provenance metadata, including data lineage, methods of derivation, and sources of the underlying material. Because the direct origin cannot be confirmed, users should consider potential biases, duplications, and errors introduced during aggregation.

Examples: Meta-analyses that compile results from multiple studies; aggregated statistics; literature reviews; machine-generated logs; and crowd-sourced compilations that summarize primary records.

Applications and considerations: Nonsource labeling aids data provenance practices, citation practices, and risk assessment in journalism and research. It helps readers assess reliability and determine whether additional verification from original sources is advisable.

See also: primary source, secondary source, data provenance, aggregation, synthesized data. Note: The term is informal in many fields, and its precise meaning can vary. Documentation should specify how the nonsource was produced and what its limitations are.