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.

You are not sure if a map is a primary source? We show you when and why is a map a primary or a secondary source.

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

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

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

You are not sure if an encyclopedia is a primary source? We show you the right way to reference an encyclopedia.

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

You are not sure if the US Constitution is a primary source? We show you when and why is the US Constitution a primary source.

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 6 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.