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Problem loading? View the Primary Sources video from ProQuest
Before you attempt to find primary sources on a topic, you need to have a good understanding of what constitutes a primary source. It is very common for students to be confused about primary vs. secondary sources, so here is a brief breakdown:
Primary Sources:
A primary source is a document or object written or created during the time under study. The author/creator was present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
Types of primary sources include:
Examples:
Secondary Sources:
A secondary source is a document that interprets or analyzes primary sources. These are second-hand accounts of an historical event.
Examples: