What is a Primary Source?

A Primary Source is an original source created at a specific time of interest, it is original research, opinion, or documentation.

What is a Secondary Source?

A Secondary Source is interpretation, discussion, or opinion about an original source or event.

What type of source should I use?

Context is important. The type of source you need depends on your topic of research. How you approach your topic can also affect whether a source is primary or secondary. If in doubt, discuss your topic with your instructor.

Resource Examples

Primary Sources

Humanities Research

  • Diaries
  • Letters
  • Contemporary Newspapers
  • Interviews
  • Government Document
  • Transcript
  • Official Minutes
  • Photograph, Song, Play
  • Map
  • Statistical Data

Science Research

  • Published Study
  • Scientific Experiment
  • Clinical Trail
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Patent
  • Technical Report
  • Statistical Data

Secondary Sources

Humanities Research

  • Histories
  • Literary Criticism
  • Theatre, Art, Book Reviews
  • Interpretive Newspaper Articles

Science Research

  • Publication about Research
  • Analysis of a clinical trial
  • Review of results

Primary and Secondary Sources Work Together

Primary Source

20th Street North

20th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama circa 1913 by O.V. Hunt, Brantley Collection, Samford University

Secondary Source

Atkins, Leah Rawls. The Valley and the Hills: An Illustrated History of Birmingham & Jefferson County. Woodland Hills, Calif: Windsor Publications, 1996.

Primary Source

Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, "I Have a Dream."

Secondary Source

Alvarea, Alexander. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream": The Speech Event as Metaphor. Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 18, No. 3 (Mar., 1988), pp. 337-357.

Primary Source

Coldplay's Album "Viva La Vida

Secondary Source

Hermes, Will. Vive La Difference!. Rolling Stone, June 26, 2008. Issue 1055, p73-74.

Primary Source

Kleinfield, N. R., "U.S. Attacked; Hijacked Jets Destroy Twin Towers and hit Pentagon in Day or Terror" New York Times. September 12, 2001

Secondary Source

Greene, Jacqueline Dember, The 2001 World Trade Center Attack. Bearport Publishing, 2007.

Primary Source

Ruhama Baptist Church Records

Secondary Source

Bee, Fanna K. Bee, and Lee N. Allen. Sesquicentennial History: Ruhama Baptist Church 1819 - 1969. Birmingham: Oxmoor Press, 1969.