Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources
| Type of Source |
Examples |
| Primary: A firsthand account of an event that has previously been ubpublished |
- A diary
- A scientific study that has not been published before
- Correspondence
- A historic document, e.g. the Magna Carta, Declaration of Indepencence
- Interviews
- Autobiographies
|
| Secondary: This is one level removed from the primary. The author is analyzing, summarizing, and/or making conclusions about the content of the primary document. |
- A review of a book, music, film, or art
- Biography
- A newspaper article describing a scientific study
|
| Tertiary: This is one level further removed from the primary source. The content of the source refers to secondary rather than primary sources. |
- Almanacs
- Bibliographies and indexes used to locate primary resources
- Chronologies
- Textbooks
- Manuals
|
