What is primary source

There are many primary sources available online today, but many more are still available in their original format, in archives, museums, libraries, historical sites, and elsewhere. Secondary sources usually use primary sources and offer interpretation, analysis, or commentary. These resources often present primary source information with the addition of hindsight or historical perspective. Common examples include criticisms, histories, and magazine, journal, or newspaper articles written after the fact.

Some secondary sources may also be considered primary or tertiary sources - the definition of this term is not set in stone. Tertiary sources are further developments of secondary sources, often summaries of information found in primary and secondary sources and collecting many sources together. Some examples of tertiary sources are encyclopedias and textbooks. Again, this term is not set in stone - some sources may be both secondary and tertiary.

Toggle navigation. They represent original thinking, reports on discoveries or events, or they can share new information. Often these sources are created at the time the events occurred but they can also include sources that are created later. They are usually the first formal appearance of original research.

Secondary sources involve analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or evaluation of primary sources. They often attempt to describe or explain primary sources. Scholarly journals, although generally considered to be secondary sources, often contain articles on very specific subjects and may be the primary source of information on new developments.

Home Primary vs. Primary Sources Primary Sources are immediate, first-hand accounts of a topic, from people who had a direct connection with it.

Primary sources can include: Texts of laws and other original documents. Newspaper reports, by reporters who witnessed an event or who quote people who did. Speeches, diaries, letters and interviews - what the people involved said or wrote.

Original research. Datasets, survey data, such as census or economic statistics. Photographs, video, or audio that capture an event. Raw Data.