What's a primary source?
Answer
A primary source provides firsthand information, direct evidence, or original data on a topic. It is the material on which other research is based. Primary sources tend to be contemporary to the events or conditions under examination, but in some circumstances may be written or created at a later time (e.g. autobiographies, memoirs, or oral histories).
Examples of primary sources include original manuscripts, technical reports, diaries, memoirs, letters, photographs, drawings, posters, film footage, sheet music, interviews, government documents, public records, eyewitness accounts, conference proceedings, works of literature, statistical data, speeches, emails, tweets, and web pages.
The differences between primary and secondary sources can be nuanced and can depend on how a source is being used by a researcher. Watch the video to get more information on these two types of sources and where their identification can be complicated.
Links & Files
Media
Topics
Comments (0)
Contact Us
One-On-One Consultations
Schedule an appointment using our Research Help Request form.
You can also email your subject librarian to schedule an in-person or Zoom appointment.
Research Help Desk
July 2nd - August 2nd
Monday - Friday: 10:00am-12:30pm
When a librarian is not at the Research Help desk, please stop by the Circulation desk to be connected with an available librarian in the building.