Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources an Introduction

¶ … Secondary Sources: An Introduction Primary Sources Primary Source helps in delivering first-hand evidence or direct indication related to a matter under examination. Recorders or witnesses who have seen the incidents or circumstances being acknowledged produce these records. Usually these sources are produced at the time the incidents or situations are taking place, but Primary Sources can also consist of biographies, journals, and oral histories that are documented later.

A notable feature of the Primary Source is usually that it contains no opinions or inferences; they would mostly be plain information or data. Primary Sources are often categorized based on their subject, irrespective of whether they are presented in original layout, in microfiche or microfilm, in digital format, or in printed structure (Yale, 2016). Following examples help understand what could constitute Primary Sources: Documents of any government are the direct proof of its events, happenings, and strategies.

For a research that is related to the government activities, official papers of government are essential Primary Sources (Yale, 2016). 2. Archival materials or manuscripts are special resources that are available uniquely, in only one institute or library. However, microfiche/microfilm or digital copies may be found elsewhere. These are precious Primary Sources useful for researchers in a number of fields of study such as literature, journalism, history, sociology, political science, cultural anthropology, law, education, and health sciences.

Archival materials and manuscripts are different from other library materials in the manner they are defined, retrieved, controlled, and estimated (Yale, 2016). 3. Maps are also Primary Sources because they are produced in specific cultural frameworks. Mapmakers may have secret plans or be swayed by social or political factors. Maps may create misunderstandings or intended falsifications (Yale, 2016). Secondary Source Information produced by someone after the event happened or the issue or period has passed is generally taken as Secondary Source.

Generally, a Secondary Source is a commentary, inference, or deduction from a Primary Source. For a project related to historical research, Secondary Sources are mainly articles and scholarly books. Reference sources such as encyclopedias are also included in secondary sources (University of Illinois, 2016). As illustration of Secondary Sources consider: 1. The book 'University of Illinois, 1894-1904: The Shaping of the University': This book was published in 2000. It could be regarded as secondary source in order to retrieve information about the University of Illinois in twentieth era (University of Illinois, 2016). 2.

Another example can be that of Lytton Strachey's prominent history of nineteenth century England, Eminent Victorians, which was first printed in 1918. While Eminent Victorians is taken as Secondary Source, English Society, Culture and History in The 1800s which is based on Strachey's study and examination is considered a Primary Source.

On the contrary, any of today's scholar could consider Eminent Victorians as a Primary Source which they study to explore about the behaviors and outlooks of Lytton Strachey and the early twentieth century English literati of which he was a member (Yale, 2016). 3. Martin Luther King's speech 'I have a Dream' is amongst the most applauded in the history of United States. A Secondary Source could be a journalistic remark on Martin's speech.