What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?
Primary Source Definition
A primary source is a firsthand account from participants or observers of an event or period of time.
Primary sources include:
- Original research
- Personal experience reports
- Recorded interviews
Secondary Source Definition
A secondary source is a description, analysis or recounting of a primary source.
Secondary sources include:
- Research reviews
- Coverage of someone else's experience
- Interpretations of interviews
Go to the History guide for examples of historical primary and secondary sources.