Primary Sources
Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects which were created at the time under study. Examples of primary sources are letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, speeches, interviews, memoirs, documents from government agencies, photographs, audio and video recordings, research data, objects and artifacts. A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, or person. Primary sources also include historical and legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, and fieldwork. Internet communications via email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups are also primary sources.
Examples of primary source database collections are:
Digital National Security Archive
FBIS (Foreign Broadcast Information Service)
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are works that interpret or analyze historical events or phenomena. They are accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience. One step removed from the subject, secondary sources are the result of someone else's contemplation and synthesis of primary sources. Examples of secondary sources are scholarly or popular books and journal articles, histories, criticisms, reviews, commentaries, encyclopedias, and textbooks. Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources.
Evaluating Sources
Being able to assess the quality and credibility of the information you find at the library or online is an essential skill in conducting quality research. To evaluate a source, consider the following:
- Authority –Who published the source? Is it a university press or a large reputable publisher? Is it from a government agency? Is the source self-published? What is the purpose of the publication? Who is the author? What is the author’s point of view? Is there a list of references or works cited? What is the quality of these references?
- Purpose-- Why was the source created? Who is the intended audience? What is the author’s intention? Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda? Is the author's point of view objective and impartial? Is the publication organized logically? Are the main points clearly presented? Do you find the text easy to read? Is the author repetitive?
- Currency—When was the information published or posted? Is the source current or out of date for your topic? Has the information been revised or updated?
- Relevance—Is this an important source for your needs? Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the level of scholarship appropriate or is it too elementary or advanced?