What's a Primary Source?
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If you're seeking to learn about the past, primary sources of information are those that provide first-hand accounts of the events, practices, or conditions you are researching. In general, these are documents that were created by the witnesses or first recorders of these events at about the time they occurred, and include diaries, letters, reports, photographs, creative works, financial records, memos, and newspaper articles (to name just a few types). |
To learn more about how to distinguish a primary source from a secondary source, watch the video below.
SCU Library provides access to a variety of primary sources: books, newspapers, maps, pamphlets, and other artifacts from past events. Some of those specialized databases for primary sources are linked below for your exploration.
Watch this 6 minute video to learn the difference between a primary and secondary source, both of which you are asked to find and use in this course.
Primary and Secondary Sources from OSLIS on Vimeo.