Primary sources are original, first-hand accounts or direct evidence about people, events, or phenomena being studied. They provide raw information created at the time of the event or by participants or witnesses involved. Examples include letters, photographs, diaries, official documents, interview transcripts, statistical data, works of art, recordings, artifacts, and original research reports. Primary sources are considered authoritative because they offer direct access to the subject without interpretation or commentary
. In contrast, secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources and are created after the fact by people not directly involved in the event. Examples of secondary sources include journal articles reviewing research, textbooks, biographies, and encyclopedias
. The distinction between primary and secondary sources can depend on the research context. For instance, a memoir may be a primary source when studying its author but a secondary source when examining the broader culture. Similarly, newspaper editorials might be primary sources if studying public opinion at the time but secondary if analyzing the event itself
. In summary, primary sources are original materials that provide direct evidence or first-hand testimony about a topic, making them essential for credible and original research
