A primary source is an original, first-hand account or direct evidence of a topic or event created by someone who experienced or witnessed it. It is the raw material closest to what is being studied, without interpretation or analysis by others. Examples include artifacts, documents, diaries, manuscripts, autobiographies, recordings, photographs, letters, original research results, and eyewitness accounts
. Primary sources vary by discipline but generally include:
- Historical and legal documents
- Personal letters and diaries
- Original research articles presenting experimental results
- Artworks and creative writing
- Audio and video recordings
- Artifacts and objects from museums
- Born-digital materials like emails or social media posts
They are distinguished from secondary sources , which interpret, analyze, or comment on primary sources, such as reviews, biographies, or scholarly articles discussing original research
. The classification of a source as primary or secondary can depend on the context and research question. For example, a memoir is primary when studying its author but secondary when examining the broader culture
. In summary, a primary source is a direct, original piece of evidence created at the time of the event or by someone with direct knowledge, providing the most immediate insight into the subject under investigation.
