Priamry, Secondary and Tertiary sources.

1. Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources
The information you find and use along the cycle of research can also be broken down into
three types of sources: primary, secondary and tertiary. Is there enough information on
your topic? If not, review the earlier steps for starting your research. It’s normal to refine
and revise your topic multiple times.
Primary Sources
• Original documents created or experienced
Definition
contemporaneously with the event being researched.
• First-hand observations, contemporary accounts of event,
Characteristics
viewpoints of the time.
• Interviews, reports, studies, creative works, speeches,
Examples
news footage, diary entries.

2. Secondary Sources
• Works that analyze, assess or interpret an historical event, era or
Definition
phenomenon, generally utilizing primary sources to do so.
• Interpretation of information, usually written well after the event,
Characteristics offer reviews or critiques.
• Journal articles, editorial articles, literary criticism, book reviews,
Examples biographies, textbooks.

3. Tertiary Sources
Definition • Sources that identify and locate primary and secondary sources.
• Reference works, collections or lists of primary and secondary
Characteristics sources, finding tools for sources.
• Encyclopedias, Indexes, Abstracts, Bibliographies, Library
Examples databases and catalogs.