Primary & Secondary Sources

Back to Evaluating Sources

What is a Primary and What is a Secondary Source, and why are they important?

Primary Source

A source providing first hand information, without using other sources.
Original information based on intellectual work

Secondary Source

A source that produces information based on other sources. This includes collections, lists and summaries.
The product of the analysis or interpretation of Primary information
A primary source that has been edited in purpose or focus also can become a secondary source.

What are examples of each type of source?

Examples of Primary Sources

Testimonies
Speeches
Diaries
Scientific Studies
Photographs
Paintings
Objects

Examples of Secondary Sources

Analytic Research
Books
Articles
Edited photographs
Reference Material
Documentaries
Edited objects
Summaries
Lists
Collections

There are also what are known as Tertiary Sources, which are reference material made from primary and secondary sources. These include:

Dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Almanacs
Handbooks

When should I use each type of source?

Primary Source

To search for key information.
To understand the point of view or context of the source or of its surroundings.
To validate an affirmation with direct data.

Secondary Source

To collect and synthesize a lot of information in a list or a narrative.

To understand the point of view or bias of the researcher.

To follow the information of a Secondary Sources that may lead to a Primary Source.

Tertiary Source

To find and present a definition of a name or concept.
For an initial or general investigation on a topic.
for background information.
Tertiary Sources are rarely cited except for definitions.

Notes:

Keep in mind that the examples of formats given don't guarantee that a source is automatically a Primary or Secondary Source, but rather the content and context tells you what kind of source it is.

For instance, An interview of a Historian on Ancient Egypt may be a Secondary Source on Ancient Egypt. However, it is a Primary Source if your topic of investigation is the historian themself.

Report abuse