When conducting academic research, you will need to be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
| Subject | Primary Source | Secondary Source |
| Science | Report of original chemistry research data | Chemistry textbook discussing that research |
| History | Thomas Jefferson’s Diary | Book about Thomas Jefferson |
| Political Science | An energy treaty | A review about energy treaties |
Primary Source
A primary source is a document or record containing first-hand information or original data on a topic. Primary sources are usually created by individuals who experienced the event and recorded or wrote about it.
Secondary Source
A secondary source is one that was created later by someone that did not experience firsthand or participate in the events in which the author is writing about. Secondary sources often summarize, interpret, analyze or comment on information found in primary sources.
Some Helpful Links:
- Identifying Primary & Secondary Sources – University of Wisconsin-Green-Bay Libraries Research Guide
- Distinguish Between Primary and Secondary Sources – UC Santa Cruz library guide