[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] SIS 200 Sources Toolkit : Primary Sources [an error occurred while processing this directive]
SIS 200
States and Capitalism [an error occurred while processing this directive][an error occurred while processing this directive]
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Primary Sources

When doing historical research, primary sources are those materials that were produced by the people or organizations active in events; that is, information produced directly by spokespersons for an organization or agency, participants such as politicians, direct observers such as eyewitnesses, or reporters who act as interviewers of participants.

Primary sources may come in many different formats, such as:

  • diaries

  • government publications, such as government debates, hearings, etc.

  • journals

  • ledgers and business records

  • letters

  • magazine articles

  • maps

  • newspaper articles

  • photographs

  • pictures

  • tape recordings (oral histories, for example)

Here are some examples of primary sources:.

A secondary source is normally considered to be one which comments on the primary sources and the events or activities reflected in those sources. They are not written by participants or witnesses, but usually by people who have read the primary sources and analyzed them.

A tertiary source distills and collects primary and secondary sources and may frequently be found in a library's reference section. Almanacs, encyclopedias, fact books, and other reference sources are often tertiary.

 

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