Primary and Secondary Sources

Interviews can add tremendously to your research project. Read on to quickly learn when an interview is considered a primary source.

You are not sure if a documentary is a secondary source? We show you when and why is a documentary either a secondary or a tertiary source.

Letters are frequently used in historical research. Read on to see when a letter qualifies as a primary source.

Are you not sure if a map is a primary source? This guide will show you when and why a map is a primary or a secondary source.

Are you unsure if a painting is a primary source? This guide will show you when and why a painting is either a primary or a secondary source.

Are you unsure if a textbook is a secondary source? Learn in this guide when and why a textbook is either a primary, secondary, or tertiary source.

Are you not sure if an autobiography is a primary source? We show you when and why an autobiography is either a primary or secondary source.

Are you unsure if an encyclopedia is a primary source? Find your answer and learn the right way to reference an encyclopedia in this guide.

You are not sure if census data is a primary source? We will show you when and why census data is a primary source and where to get it.

Are you wondering if the US Constitution is a primary source? Find the answer to your question in this guide.

Learn what questions to ask to see if a newspaper article really qualifies as a primary source.

Primary and secondary sources are the foundations of every research project. Learn about their differences and when to use them.

Primary sources are the most important sources when undertaking a research project. We answer the 5 most asked questions about primary sources.

Secondary sources are your starting point when undertaking a research project. We answer the 5 most asked questions about secondary sources.