Most research papers in the arts and humanities require use of primary and secondary sources for critical analysis and support of ideas. But what is a primary source and what is a secondary source? Figuring this out can be complicated!
What is a Primary Source?
"Primary Sources are original records created at the time historical events occurred or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories." [RUSA, "Using Primary Sources on the Web," accessed January 2014 through http://www.ala.org/rusa/sections]
What is a Secondary Source?
A secondary source describes, discusses, analyzes or interprets information about an event, object, or person, etc.
