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Evaluating Sources

Primary and Secondary Sources

In history and the humanities sources may also be described as primary or secondary sources. How the source is being used can be just as important as how it was created in understanding whether you will be using the source as a primary or secondary source in your research.

Primary sources are those used as direct evidence, analyzing, interpreting and providing context for.

Secondary sources are written or created to provide context, analysis or interpretation of an idea, event, type of media or person.