What is a primary source?

Answer

Primary sources are documents or objects that provide direct, first-hand evidence. On the other hand, secondary sources analyze, discuss, and comment upon primary sources. Disciplines define primary sources differently. To the scientist, they might be reports of original research or personal papers; to the journalist, they might be interviews or letters. The researcher’s relation to source is important in terms of proximity and determination of source type. Format, content, use, and interpretation must be considered.

For detailed tips and resources for discovering primary sources, see the library's Primary Sources guide.

Examples of primary sources are:
  • Original documents such as diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, records, eyewitness accounts, autobiographies.
  • Empirical scholarly works such as research articles, clinical reports, case studies, dissertations.
  • Creative works such as poetry, music, video, photography.

Tips for finding primary sources:

  • When searching print and online access tools use search terms such as SOURCES, CORRESPONDENCE, PERSONAL NARRATIVES, DIARIES, RECORDS AND CORRESPONDENCE, SERMONS, SPEECHES, PAPERS, LETTERS.

  • Look for titles of primary sources in secondary sources and in lists included in bibliographies of secondary sources. Use text, class, and library bibliographies for recommended titles or listings of primary sources.

  • Browse library shelves around other relevant books. This is often a wonderful way to discover collections of primary sources that have been published in a book format.

  • Last Updated May 06, 2021
  • Views 38
  • Answered By Darren Chase

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