A source is classified by whether the author is reporting on first hand experiences or relying on and interpreting the views of others.
Posted with permission from the University of California San Diego Libraries.
Search the OneSearch to find primary source material for your topic. Try adding one of the keywords below:
You can also find primary sources in specific databases. Find a list of all databases containing primary sources on the Databases A-Z page or try some of our favorites here:
When evaluating the quality of the information you are using, it is useful to identify if you are using a Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary source. By doing so, you will be able recognize if the author is reporting on his/her own first hand experiences, or relying on the views of others.
| Source Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Primary A first person account by someone who experienced or witnessed an event. This original document has not been previously published or interpreted by anyone else. |
|
| Secondary One step removed from the primary original source. The author is analyzing, evaluating interpreting and forming conclusions based on the information that is conveyed in the primary source. |
|
|
Tertiary Further removed from primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source. |
|
