Questions and Answers
What is a primary source?
A first-hand, direct account of something; an original piece.
Which of the following are examples of primary sources? (Select all that apply)
What is a secondary source?
Sources that discuss, analyze, or refer to a primary source; a second-hand account.
Which of the following are examples of secondary sources? (Select all that apply)
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What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source?
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Is a newspaper article a primary source?
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Is an email a secondary source?
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Is a blog always a primary source?
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Is a university textbook a primary source?
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Is a fiction book a primary source?
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Is a biography a primary source?
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Study Notes
Primary Sources
- Defined as first-hand, direct accounts of events or objects, constituting original pieces of evidence.
- Examples include:
- Statistical data
- Legal documents
- Photographs
- Emails
- Blogs
- Original writings
- Videos
- Diaries
- Maps
- Research findings
- Government records
Secondary Sources
- Characterized as sources that analyze, discuss, or reference primary sources; they provide second-hand accounts.
- Examples include:
- Newspaper articles
- Literature reviews in journal articles
- Book reviews
- Movie reviews
- Textbooks
Key Differences
- A primary source is the original document or evidence, while a secondary source provides interpretation or analysis of that original document.
Evaluating Sources
- A newspaper article serves as a primary source if it reports a journalist's direct observations; if it discusses existing research, it is a secondary source.
- Emails are classified as primary sources as they represent original communication, though they might include analyses or data from secondary sources.
- Blogs can vary: personal accounts are primary sources, while those reviewing or commenting on other work can be secondary.
- University textbooks are considered secondary sources as they synthesize information from primary and secondary sources, sometimes qualifying as tertiary sources.
- Fiction books are primary sources due to their original storytelling, while non-fiction books may be secondary as they may refer to other works; autobiographies are primary, while biographies are secondary.
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Description
Test your knowledge on primary and secondary sources with this informative quiz. Learn to distinguish between first-hand accounts and interpretative sources, and explore various examples of each. Ideal for students in history or research courses.
