Primary Vs. Secondary Sources

Jun 20, 2018primary sources provide raw information and first-hand evidence. Secondary sources interpret, analyze or summarize primary sources. Jul 29, 2025the function of these is to interpret primary sources, and so can be described as at least one step removed from the event or phenomenon under review.

Apr 4, 2023primary sources offer raw information, or the first-hand evidence compiled by research, whereas secondary sources interpret or analyze the information from primary sources. Sep 8, 2025the medium of the primary source can be anything, including written texts, statistics, objects, buildings, films, paintings, cartoons, etc. What makes the source a primary.

Dec 16, 2025what is a secondary source? Secondary sources interpret historical events by examining primary sources and usually other secondary sources, such as books and journal. Aug 27, 2025primary sources are the original materials or evidence to be analyzed, evaluated, contextualized, or synthesized in the research process.

Jun 25, 2025primary sources, such as diaries or photographs, originate directly from the time period or event being studied. Dec 6, 2024secondary sources are one step removed from primary sources, though they often quote or otherwise use primary sources. Oct 28, 2025primary sources can be written and non-written, the latter including sound, picture, and artifact.

Secondary sources contain information that has been. Secondary sources are commentaries on and discussions of primary sources. When using secondary sources, it is important to strive to be objective, even though this may not always be.