What's the difference?Telling the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources can often be confusing because the difference is more about the content of the source than the published format. The format may be a first indicator of whether or not a source is primary, but evaluating the content will be the ultimate judgement call. Show
Primary and secondary sources often differ based on the academic discipline. This page will give you some guidance on deciding whether a source can be considered primary or not. Many of the formats listed on this guide will exist in both physical and digital modes. To start, the following video from the Australian National University Library gives an excellent explanation of the different contexts in which sources can be considered primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary Sources and ResearchPrimary sources are the original documents of an event or discovery. Primary sources are also records of events as they are first described. They are often considered the most credible sources of evidence and are complimented by secondary which will analyze and give context to primary sources. Some examples of primary sources are:
*Newspaper articles that report on a recent event can be primary sources, but articles that rehash previous events are not primary sources, unless they add new information to the story. Where do I find primary sources? It depends on your discipline, but here are are some places to start.
Secondary Sources and ResearchSecondary sources offer an analysis or a restatement of an event or discovery described in primary sources. They interpret, explain, critique, or otherwise analyze primary sources. Some secondary sources are used to persuade the reader and may be considered less objective. Examples of secondary sources include:
*Many academic articles include short literature reviews to establish a starting place or a jumping off point for their own, original research; these are still considered primary sources. However, articles that only review or analyze previously published articles and contain no new research are secondary sources; these articles are called systematic literature reviews and can be good sources of information about the state of research on a certain topic. Where do I find secondary sources? It depends on your discipline, but here are are some places to start.
Tertiary sources offer a summary or restatement of facts and research from both primary and secondary sources. The main difference between secondary and tertiary sources is that tertiary sources offer no new information and no analysis of the information from primary and secondary sources. Tertiary sources are often great places to collect background information and to help locate primary and secondary research. Examples of tertiary sources include:
Where do I find tertiary sources? The following databases contain reference sources like encyclopedia, dictionaries, and handbooks.
Comparison Chart
What is the source where information is written at a certain time or period of research?A primary source is a work that was created or written contemporary with the period or subject being studied. Secondary sources analyze or interpret historical events or creative works.
What are the sources of study of this period?They can be firsthand testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are studying. Primary sources may include diaries, letters, interviews, oral histories, photographs, newspaper articles, government documents, poems, novels, plays, and music.
What type of source of information is a document material that is written at the time of the event or discovery or research?Definition of a Primary Source:
A primary source is most often created during the time the events you are studying occurred, such as newspaper articles from the period, correspondence, diplomatic records, original research reports and notes, diaries etc.
What are the 3 types of information sources?Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources.
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