What are primary and secondary sources?
Answer
Primary Sources
Primary sources are direct accounts of a topic.
In the humanities, primary sources are usually historical documents or eyewitness accounts. Primary sources can include:
- Journals, letters, or diaries
- Photographs
- Audio or video recordings
- Artwork
- Government publications
- Interviews
In the sciences, primary sources are usually results from an experiment or statistical data. Primary sources can include:
- Research studies
- Survey research
- Case studies
- Clinical trials
- Patient interviews
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are works that interpret primary sources.
In the humanities, secondary sources are usually works that analyze and contextualize primary sources. Secondary sources can include:
- Books or articles about a specific topic
- Biographies
- Documentaries
In the sciences, secondary sources are usually works that compare and evaluate primary sources. Secondary sources can include:
- Literature reviews and systematic reviews
- Best practice guidelines and standards
- Clinical care notes
- Patient education information
