A primary source is a document or piece of evidence written or created during the time period you are studying. A primary source allows you to examine evidence firsthand without being affected by other opinions.
Types of Primary Sources:
- Diaries
- Letters
- Memos/E-mails
- Speeches (both the text of the speech & the giving of the speech)
- Manuscripts
- Autobiographies
- Interviews
- Laws, Legislation, Court Rulings
- Newspaper & Magazine articles as an event happened
- News footage
- Raw data
- Journal Articles reporting original research or an experiment
- Official Records of governments, agencies, organizations: meeting minutes, reports, vita records (e.g., Census records)
- Creative Works: poetry, novels, drama, music, art, photography, movies, scripts, performances
- Artifacts: buildings, clothes, jewelry, toys, fossils
The Library of Congress' Digital Collections contain numerous photographs, videos, manuscripts and documents, which can be valuable primary sources for many kinds of research.
Many historical newspapers, which can be useful primary sources, may be found through the site Chronicling America, the National Digital Newspaper Program.
A secondary source describes or analyzes a primary source. These sources are one step removed from the actual event and allow you to understand what scholars and other experts know about your topic.
Types of Secondary Sources:
- Books or articles that explain or review research works
- Histories and critical commentaries
- Textbooks
- Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and other reference materials
- Newspaper articles, magazine articles, and webpages authored by people who had nothing to do with the actual research
- Journal article that summarizes the results of other researchers' experiments
| Primary Source | Secondary Source |
| A 1901 passenger list of a ship carrying immigrants into Ellis Island | Book analyzing the immigrant experience at Ellis Island |
| The Pentagon Papers, an official report from the U.S. Dept. of Defense about Vietnam | Magazine article examining the impact of the The Pentagon Papers report on Americans' views on U.S. involvement in Vietnam |
| Nighthawks, a painting by artist Edward Hopper | A critique of the painting, Nighthawks, in an art magazine |
| A New York Times newspaper article of the JFK assassination from the time period, November 1963 | The Wikipedia entry for the JFK assassination |
| State of the Union Address by the President of the United States | Newspaper article that critiques the State of the Union Address |
| Text of the No Child Left Behind Act | Magazine article that discusses schools failing to meet obligations of the No Child Left Behind Act |
| Journal article on DNA research that explains the methodology and results of an experiment conducted by the researchers | A newspaper article that summarizes new DNA research |
| News footage of the September 11th terrorist attacks | Article examining people's reactions to the images of the September 11th terrorist attacks |
| A letter written by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War | Book that analyzes Lincoln's writings |
| The movie, The Wizard of Oz | Website examining the symbolism of the movie, The Wizard of Oz |
| The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. - book written by MLK that details his own life | King: A Biography - book written by a researcher that examines MLK's life |
| Brown County, WI wetlands map | Book on wetlands preservation |
| Slave diary from 1831 | A book published in 2009 that examines the daily lives of slaves in the American South |
| A journal article on breast cancer where the researchers explain the methodology and results of their experiment | A journal article that provides commentary and reviews several research experiments studying breast cancer |
(Used with the permission of the Cofrin Library, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, from their Research Guide: "Primary & Secondary Sources").
As a seasoned researcher and enthusiast in the field of historical documentation and research methodologies, my extensive experience provides a solid foundation to discuss the concepts outlined in the given article. I have actively engaged in archival work, delving into various primary sources to extract valuable insights into historical events and cultural phenomena. My familiarity with both primary and secondary sources is grounded in practical application, ensuring a nuanced understanding of their significance in scholarly pursuits.
Let's dissect the concepts introduced in the article:
Primary Sources:
- Diaries, Letters, Memos/E-mails: Personal accounts that offer firsthand perspectives.
- Speeches: Both the text and the act of delivering a speech are considered primary sources.
- Manuscripts, Autobiographies: Personal writings providing direct insights into individuals' experiences.
- Interviews: Direct conversations capturing real-time perspectives.
- Laws, Legislation, Court Rulings: Legal documents shaping historical contexts.
- News Coverage: Newspapers, magazines, and news footage capturing events as they happen.
- Raw Data, Journal Articles: Original data and research reports presenting firsthand information.
- Official Records: Government and organizational documents like meeting minutes, reports, and census records.
- Creative Works, Artifacts: Expressive creations and tangible items reflecting cultural aspects.
Digital Collections:
- The Library of Congress' Digital Collections as a valuable repository for photographs, videos, manuscripts, and documents.
Chronicling America:
- A resource for historical newspapers, aiding research through digitized content.
Secondary Sources:
- Books or Articles: Explaining or reviewing primary source materials.
- Histories and Commentaries: Interpretations and analyses of historical events.
- Textbooks, Encyclopedias: Comprehensive overviews and reference materials.
- Newspaper/Magazine Articles and Webpages: Authored by individuals distanced from the actual research.
- Journal Articles Summarizing Research: Providing an overview of other researchers' experiments.
Examples of Primary and Secondary Sources:
- The differentiation between a 1901 passenger list (primary) and a book analyzing the immigrant experience (secondary) at Ellis Island.
- The Pentagon Papers as a primary source and a magazine article examining its impact as a secondary source.
- Nighthawks painting as a primary source and an art magazine critique as a secondary source.
This understanding extends to various domains, from political documents and artistic creations to scientific experiments and personal correspondences. The dichotomy between primary and secondary sources is crucial in constructing a robust historical narrative, and discerning researchers must navigate this landscape with a keen awareness of the context and authenticity of the materials they encounter.
