What is a primary source?
Original materials from the time period involved and have not been filtered through interpretation or evaluation.They are usually the first formal appearance of results in physical, print or electronic format. They present original thinking, report a discovery, or share new information ("Primary, Secondary and Tertiary"). They may include (but are not limited to):
ABC-CLIO 8 Part Video Tutor:
Reading Primary Sources: Introduction
Reading Primary Sources: Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Reading Primary Sources: Finding Primary Sources
Reading Primary Sources: Understanding Perspective
Reading Primary Sources: Evaluating Primary Sources
Reading Primary Sources: Interpreting Primary Sources
Reading Primary Sources: The Value of Multiple Sources
What is a secondary source?
Generally secondary sources are accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. They are interpretations and evaluations of primary sources. Secondary sources are not evidence, but rather commentary on and discussion of evidence. However, what some define as a secondary source, others define as a tertiary source. Context is everything ("Primary, Secondary and Tertiary").
Some examples include (but are not limited to):
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