Primary sources offer an inside view of a particular event. They can be original records or objects created by participants and observers during the time the event occurred or shortly thereafter.

Secondary sources are less easily defined than primary sources. Generally, they 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.

• Bibliographies
• Biographical works
• Commentaries, criticisms
• Dictionaries, Encyclopedias
• Histories;
• Journal articles (depending on the disciple can be primary)
• Magazine and newspaper articles (this distinction varies by discipline)
• Monographs, other than fiction and autobiograph
• Textbooks (also considered tertiary)
• Web site (also considered primary).

Primary Research refers to the process of going out and collecting data yourself.

You may collect data using:

• Interviews
• Surveys
• Observations

Parts of this guide will help you with this process.