Primary and secondary sources: what are they and why do I need them?
Primary and secondary sources are the two main types of source materials that you will use for your research project. They are both important and needed for your project. Whether you are going to use more primary or more secondary sources depends on your academic level - undergrad, postgrad, or professional.
Both types of sources have importance and merits of their own, but they are also immensely different. This guide will help you understand the differences. If you want to learn even more about both source types separately, where and how you can access them, and when and how to use them, check out the links below:
➡️ What is a secondary source?
What are the main differences between primary and secondary sources?
The main difference between primary and secondary sources is that primary sources are contemporary.
Primary sources are original and originated from the event they refer to. They are not reviews, analyses, or critiques of events that occurred in the past. They are first-hand information.
Secondary sources are summaries, critiques, opinions, and analyses. They are written by people who did not witness, or have any direct part to play in the event they are describing. The information they contain is based on primary sources and is the author’s interpretation of the event/subject they are covering.
Why do I need to use both primary and secondary sources in my research?
Using both types of sources adds to the merit of your research. By including references to secondary sources, you are showing that you have truly engaged with your research topic. You are providing extra information and displaying a well-rounded approach to your topic. You are not relying solely on the work of one person, or one institution, for your analysis to be based upon. You are reading broadly and contextually.
Likewise, including primary source references in your research shows that you are also going back to the roots. You are looking at the event or object as it happened, without being able to teleport through time and space. A primary source is vital because it will enable you to make your own judgement on an event or object. Secondary sources are always biased, in one sense or another, so engaging with the primary source yourself allows you to view the topic objectively.
Primary and secondary sources complement each other - looking at both can give you a deeper understanding of each. A primary source can help you to evaluate a secondary source - you will notice aspects of it which the author dismisses, or washes over in their discussion. Likewise, a secondary source can tell you about current trends in research and analysis, while providing you with a broad overview or summary of an extended period of time, or the works of an artist.
Examples of primary and secondary sources
We have put together a list of examples of primary and secondary sources by fields of study. It will help you identify the nature of your source.
| Type | Arts/Humanities | Sciences |
|---|---|---|
Primary sources | Poems, diaries, letters, paintings, government records, maps, interviews (transcribed or recorded), photographs, newspaper articles | Results of experiments, case studies, results of clinical trials, minutes of meetings, proceedings of conferences |
Secondary sources | Biographies, Histories, Reviews, Encyclopaedias, Literary criticism | Discussion of importance, analysis of clinical trial, review of results |
Frequently Asked Questions about primary and secondary sources
🦄 What defines a primary source?
Primary sources are original and originated from the event they refer to. They are not reviews, analyses, or critiques of events that occurred in the past. They are first-hand information. For a more detailed description of what a primary source is, where you can access them, and why you need to use them, see this article about primary sources.
🐴 What defines a secondary source?
Secondary sources are summaries, critiques, opinions, and analyses. They are written by people who did not witness, or have any direct part to play in the event they are describing. The information they contain is based on primary sources, and is the author’s interpretation of the event/subject they are covering. See this article about secondary sources for further information.
🐬 What are some examples of primary sources?
Some examples of primary sources are: Poems, diaries, letters, paintings, government records, maps, interviews (transcribed or recorded), photographs, newspaper articles, results of experiments, case studies, results of clinical trials, minutes of meetings, and proceedings of conferences
🐋 What are some examples of secondary sources?
Some examples of secondary sources are: Biographies, histories, reviews, encyclopaedias, literary criticism, discussions of importance, analysis of clinical trials, and reviews of results.
🐢 What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source?
The one main difference between primary and secondary sources is that primary sources are contemporary and secondary sources are not.
