Before using a source, ask yourself - is this source CRAAP?
In history, a primary source is considered a firsthand account an event by a participant or observer. You may also hear these referred to as an original source or evidence. Primary sources will always come from the time period of the topic you're researching.
Examples of primary sources are:
Newspaper Articles
Photographs
Autobiographies and Diaries
Letters and Speeches
Court Cases
Government Publications
Original Research
Historical Artifacts
Interviews
A secondary source is written as a reflection or critique of primary sources, using primary sources as evidence. This author is not usually part of the event and is writing after the event occurred.
Examples of secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources in:
Books and eBooks
Journal Articles
Videos and eVideos
Web Sites
A tertiary source is one that cites both primary and secondary resources to create a broad overview of an event or topic. These are often great sources at the start of the research process, used to learn as much as you can about your topic before hitting the library and databases. Tertiary sources should not make up the bulk of your citations.
Examples of tertiary resources are:
Your Textbook
An Encyclopedia
A Bibliography
Almanacs
Fact Books
Wikipedia
Use the form below to determine if your source is credible.
Use the document below to organize your keyword brainstorming ideas.