The definition of a primary source depends upon the discipline and on how one is using the source.
Usually, a primary source is a direct, first-hand account of an event. It is usually something that was created at the time of an event, or shortly thereafter. Examples include:
A secondary source would be something that interprets, analyzes, or remarks upon a primary source. Examples include:
A tertiary source is further removed from a primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source.
While primary sources can be found throughout this libguide in places like books, newspaper articles, images and streaming video, and recommended websites, just to name a few, the following databases may be useful to you in identifying primary sources for your assignments:
JSTOR provides access to the highest-quality academic scholarly journals, books, images, and primary sources in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
