LibGuides: Research Hacked: History Topics: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

Type of Sources
Primary Sources	Primary sources are original documents, objects, or media created during the time of the event being researched, or by an individual(s) who directly experienced an event, made a discovery, or created a new work of art.
Secondary Sources	Secondary sources are a step removed from the original source.
Tertiary Sources	Tertiary sources typically compile and condense a range of primary and/or secondary sources into an easily-digestible format.

Research Tip:

Across disciplines, contexts, and perspectives, the definition of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources differ.
Some scholars consider encyclopedias secondary sources, while others consider them tertiary sources.
In today’s environment of digitized content, most would contend an online image of a primary document or transcript is sufficient, while others might argue the original physical copy is essential for primary research.
Like many areas of study, distinctions are fuzzy and subject to interpretation.
When in doubt, be sure to clarify your instructor’s expectations.

Primary Sources

Primary sources are original documents, objects, or media created during the time of the event being researched, or by an individual(s) who directly experienced an event, made a discovery, or created a new work of art.
They are raw materials with a direct relationship to whatever is being studied.

Examples Include:

Photographs
Speeches
Diaries
Editorials
Letters
Interviews
Historic artifacts
Works of art
Musical scores
Performances
Literary works
Survey research
Legal documents
Proceedings
Patents
Video or audio recordings of events being studied

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are a step removed from the original source.
They may comment or build upon the original primary sources.

Examples Include:

Second-hand reports on events
Research
Works created by someone else at a different time
Criticisms
Reviews
Interpretations
Citations

Tertiary Sources

Tertiary sources typically compile and condense a range of primary and/or secondary sources into an easily-digestible format.

Examples Include:

(Note: Many of these are also considered secondary sources.)

Encyclopedias
Almanacs
Timelines
Bibliographies
Directories
Fact books

Recommended Library Databases with Primary Sources

The following databases are recommended for finding primary sources. Many also include secondary or tertiary sources.

Access to these online subscription resources is restricted to NWACC students, faculty, and staff. Please use your My NWACC Connection login credentials.

American Antiquarian Society Historical Periodicals Collection This link opens in a new window
A comprehensive collection of American periodicals published between 1684 and 1912. 50 thematic collections from the American Antiquarian Society may be searched separately or in combination. Full-text results include digitized images of magazines and journals covering advertising, health, women's issues, science, the history of slavery, industry and professions, religious issues, culture and the arts, and more.
Britannica Academic This link opens in a new window
Delivers fast and easy access to high-quality, comprehensive information. The rich combination of the insightful Encyclopædia Britannica plus Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus, magazines and periodicals, and many other research tools provides the variety of reliable sources that students need to consult when conducting thorough research—all from one resource.
JSTOR Arts & Sciences I & V This link opens in a new window
Get access to the highest-quality academic journals, books, and primary sources in art and art history, classical studies, history, language and literature, music, philosophy, and political science. Collections on JSTOR include the complete archival record of each journal. Coverage begins at the first volume and issue of the journal ever published, and extends up to a publication date usually set in the past three to five years. Includes Artstor, which provides more than 2 million images from top museums, archives, scholars, and artists
New York Times Historical This link opens in a new window
Provides scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time. The database offers searchable full text, full page, and article-level images from The New York Times from 1851 to 2010.

(Note: New York Times content from 1985 to present is available by creating an account in the New York Times listed on the list of databases, or in Academic OneFile, Biography in Context, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, U.S. History in Context, and World History in Context. Content from 1980 to present is also accessible through LexisNexis Academic.)