Final answer:
Secondary sources are used in a report to support the overall claim and provide explanations of the trend or change. However, they should not be a replacement for primary sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a report that analyzes a trend or change, secondary sources are typically used to complement or support the report's overall claim. They suggest ways of looking at the topic that align with the report's thesis statement. For example, if the report is about the increasing popularity of veganism, secondary sources could provide statistics on the rise in vegan restaurants or personal anecdotes from individuals who have made the switch to a plant-based diet.
Using secondary sources can also make the report easier to understand by providing explanations of the trend or change in simple terms. They may break down complex concepts or jargon so that readers who may not be familiar with the subject matter can still follow the analysis.
However, secondary sources should not be used in place of primary sources if actual artifacts are accessible. Primary sources, such as original data or original accounts from eyewitnesses, have more credibility and are more reliable.
Learn more about the use of secondary sources in a report analyzing a trend or change