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EMPOWER - Module 1 - Introduction to Research

Primary vs. Secondary

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Primary Sources

  • Original documents or physical objects

  • Usually created by witness of source's subject matter

  • "First-hand sources"

Secondary Sources

  • Interpretations of primary sources

  • "Second-hand sources"

Table: Example Sources by Discipline

In Art, an example of a Primary Source is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and an example of a Secondary Source is a critique of Renaissance paintings. In Business, an example of a Primary Source is a series of NASDAQ stock quotes and an example of a Secondary Source is an analysis of the stock series. In Criminal Justice, an example of a Primary Source is a court report and an example of a Secondary Source is a book of criminal procedure. In Education, an example of a Primary Source is a speech by the Secretary of Education and an example of a Secondary Source is an Education textbook. In History, an example of a Primary Source is an interview with a Vietnam War veteran and an example of a Secondary Source is an e-book about the Vietnam War. In Literature, an example of a Primary Source is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and an example of a Secondary Source is a literary criticism on The Grapes of Wrath. In Music, an example of a Primary Source is Symphony Number 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven and an example of a Secondary Source is a biography of Ludwig van Beethoven. In Science, an example of a Primary Source is the results of a scientific experiment and an example of a Secondary Source is a newspaper article about the experiment.

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