Historical research involves the use of primary and secondary sources.
A PRIMARY SOURCE is a first hand account, report or original data on or about an event. These sources are often created at or near the time of event. Examples may include:
- Journals
- Interviews/transcripts
- Diaries
- Art work
- Speeches
- Letters and other correspondence
- Newspapers
- Data
A SECONDAY SOURCE is a second-hand account or interpretation, opinion or analysis of an event. Good secondary sources are based on the interpretation of a wide variety of primary sources. Examples may include:
- Books
- Research articles
- Professional and popular articles
- Histories
- Commentaries
- Encyclopedias
- Textbooks
- Statistics