13 Primary and Secondary Sources
Firsthand information or expert analysis?
In addition to understanding a source’s origin and target audience, we can also consider how that information contributes to your topic. Would your research benefit from a firsthand account of an event? Do you want to support your argument with an expert’s well-researched opinion? Do you need help finding new sources? You may need a combination of primary, secondary, or even tertiary sources for a given research project.
Memorizing this terminology is less important than understanding that you, a student and beginning scholar, can and should approach each source with an idea about how you intend to use it. What type of information do you need? What kind of source would be the best place to get it?
Primary and Secondary Sources
For an overview of primary and secondary sources, watch the video below (run time: 3:55):
Definition Recap
A primary source is a firsthand, original account of information. It is captured or recorded as the topic in question is happening, in the immediate aftermath of an event, or from a person with a direct connection to that information.
A secondary source is a discussion or interpretation of information that originated somewhere else. Rather than providing a direct connection to the topic, it reviews or builds on that information.
Tertiary Sources
A tertiary source summarizes information available in other sources; it does not provide additional new information or content. Reference materials (e.g. encyclopedias) are examples of tertiary sources.
Tertiary sources simply restate information which originated elsewhere or is commonly known: there is no new analysis or interpretation. You can use journal articles or book chapters (or Wikipedia) as tertiary sources by searching their reference lists for new sources on a topic!
Key Takeaways
- Primary sources offer firsthand information about a topic. In addition to historical materials, images, literature, etc., primary sources include original research data or ideas published in academic journal articles.
- Secondary sources review or analyze primary information. They include books, documentaries, or the literature review section of journal articles.
- When searching for sources, consider your research on a broad scale. What kind of information would best demonstrate or explain your topic?
