Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources
- Definition. Primary sources are the raw information or the first-hand evidence you gather in research, while secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze the information from primary sources.
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What are primary sources vs secondary sources?
Secondary Sources
- Secondary sources are sources that cite, comment on or build on primary sources
- Secondary sources are written after the fact (generally speaking)
- Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary source
What are examples of primary and secondary sources?
- Argumentations
- Encyclopedias
- Many of the released publications
- Biographies
- Reality publications
- Journal write-ups
- Editorials
- Discourses
- Literary criticisms
- Testimonials
When can a secondary source become a primary source?
Typical secondary sources may be primary sources depending on the research topic. Newspapers may be either primary or secondary. Most articles in newspapers are secondary, but reporters may be considered as witnesses to an event. Any topic on the media coverage of an event or phenomenon would treat newspapers as a primary source.
What are primary, secondary, and tertiary sources?
What are primary, secondary, and tertiary sources? Primary: original objects or documents with first-hand information or raw material. Secondary: sources that analyze, interpret, or draw conclusion from a primary source. Tertiary: sources that index, organize, or compile other sources. Watch this video from the Hartness Library to learn more about primary and secondary sources. Why Should I Use Primary Sources?
What is a primary source?
A primary source is a firsthand account of an event that happened, data from a study, or an original work. Here are some examples of primary sources:
What is a secondary source?
Secondary sources are a step removed from primary sources. Essentially, they’re sources about primary sources. Secondary sources include:
When to use primary vs. secondary sources
Primary and secondary sources fulfill different needs. We touched on these different purposes earlier, but here’s the rest of the explanation:
How can I tell the difference between primary and secondary sources?
It’s not always easy to tell whether a piece is a primary or secondary source. Sometimes it’s obvious: The actual text of a law you’re citing is clearly a primary source.
Common questions about primary and secondary sources
Yes. When you’re analyzing a fictional work, that fictional work is a primary source and any derivative works are secondary sources. Generally, fictional works aren’t acceptable sources for scientific or historical papers, but may be used as a secondary source if your writing is discussing how a specific event or concept is depicted in fiction.
Give your writing extra polish
Once you’ve gathered a body of appropriate, helpful sources, it’s time to get to writing. Don’t worry about perfect grammar or a coherent flow at this point—just write.
What is a primary source?
A primary source is a source directly connected to the event that happened (or is happening). For example, a letter or diary from the Civil War era is a primary source. A photograph or piece of artwork would be a primary source, as would an interview or the writings of someone from that time period. To go back to my American Civil War example, ...
Why is secondary source important?
Secondary sources are very important because we don’t do scholarship in a vacuum; we want to understand what someone else has learned from a source. Also, they can help us learn from primary sources we might not have access to, ...
Can you use tertiary sources in academic writing?
You typically won’t use tertiary sources in academic writing at this point; you will use them to get a general idea of the topic and figure out which secondary sources to look into, but it will be the primary and secondary sources quoted and cited in your research.
Is a sermon from the 1950s a primary source?
On the other hand, if you are writing a paper about religious views in the 1950s, a sermon from that time period would be a primary source, since it was written in a religious context during that time period for the purpose of teaching religion.
Is the Gospel of John a secondary source?
It depends on how it is being used. Here are a few examples: Religious Studies: If you are writing a paper about the Gospel of John, a sermon on the Gospel of John from the 1950s is a secondary source; that sermon is talking about the primary source, which in this case would be the scripture itself. On the other hand, if you are writing ...
Is an autobiography a secondary source?
In literature, an analysis of the book, a book review, or biography of the author would be a secondary source. (But an autobiography written by the author herself would be a…you guessed it, primary source!). In art, a book, article, or review about the work of art or a biography of the artist would be a secondary source.
Is the Hunger Games a primary source?
If I were to write a paper about Suzanne Collins, then the Hunger Games books would still be a primary source, since they are her writings. If you are writing about art or an artist, the artwork itself would be considered a primary source. If you are writing about religion, a particular scripture might be a primary source.
What Is A Primary Source?
What Is A Secondary Source?
- Secondary sources are a step removed from primary sources. Essentially, they’re sources aboutprimary sources. Secondary sources include: 1. Essays analyzing novels, works of art, and other original creations 2. Textbook passages discussing specific concepts, events, and experiments 3. Biographies of historical and famous people 4. Books about speci...
When to Use Primary vs. Secondary Sources
- Primary and secondary sources fulfill different needs. We touched on these different purposes earlier, but here’s the rest of the explanation: When you’re making a clear assertion of fact or presenting a theory or argument you’ve developed, you need to support your position with primary sources. Citing primary sources enables you to back up the statements you make with clear, cre…
How Can I Tell The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources?
- It’s not always easy to tell whether a piece is a primary or secondary source. Sometimes it’s obvious: The actual text of a law you’re citing is clearly a primary source. But what about an interpretive statement of that law? It comes from the agency tasked with enforcing the law and clearly explains the law in plain English, so it’s a primary source to cite in your essay about the ef…
Common Questions About Primary and Secondary Sources
- Can a work of fiction be a source for academic writing?
Yes. When you’re analyzing a fictional work, that fictional work is a primary source and any derivative works are secondary sources. Generally, fictional works aren’t acceptable sources for scientific or historical papers, but may be used as a secondary source if your writing is discussin… - Can I cite a source I’ve written or created?
Yes. In a scientific paper about research you conducted, you refer to the data you collected and the methods you used. In a humanities paper, you might discuss previous research you conducted. In a literary comparison essay, you might discuss a story you wrote. In each of thos…
Give Your Writing Extra Polish
- Once you’ve gathered a body of appropriate, helpful sources, it’s time to get to writing. Don’t worry about perfect grammar or a coherent flow at this point—just write. Once you’ve got a first draft down, Grammarly helps you strengthen your academic writing by catching any grammar mistakes and sentences with a too-casual tone for an academic audience.
What Is A Primary Source?
What Is A Secondary Source?
Primary and Secondary Source Examples
How to Tell If A Source Is Primary Or Secondary
Primary vs Secondary Sources: Which Is Better?
- Most research uses both primary and secondary sources. They complement each other to help you build a convincing argument. Primary sources are more credibleas evidence, but secondary sources show how your work relates to existing research.
What Is A Primary Source?
What Is A Secondary Source?
How to Tell If A Source Is Primary Or Secondary
What Are The Similarities Between Primary and Secondary Sources?
Differences Between Primary and Secondary Sources
- The main difference is that a primary source is an original document or firsthand account while a secondary source is a second-hand account of information. A primary source is not an original docum...
- Primary sources are based on actual occurrence or event while secondary sources are based on analysis, criticism, or evaluation of an event.
- The main difference is that a primary source is an original document or firsthand account while a secondary source is a second-hand account of information. A primary source is not an original docum...
- Primary sources are based on actual occurrence or event while secondary sources are based on analysis, criticism, or evaluation of an event.
- Primary sources include the provision of evidence which could be the recording of the event while secondary sources on the other hand analyze the evidence from the primary sources.
What Is An Example of A Primary Source?
What Is An Example of A Secondary Source?
What Do You Use Primary Sources for?
What Do You Use Secondary Sources for?