What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?

The distinction between primary and secondary sources centers on the type of information they provide and their role in research. Primary sources deliver direct evidence or firsthand accounts regarding a particular subject or event. Examples include original documents such as diaries, autobiographies, scientific experiments, and interviews, which present raw data or unfiltered observations.

On the other hand, secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize information derived from primary sources. These could include textbooks, articles that analyze data from various studies, or critiques that assess the meanings of original works. By documenting how primary sources relate to broader contexts, secondary sources help to deepen understanding and support research findings.

Thus, the core difference lies in the nature of the evidence: primary sources provide the foundational material, while secondary sources add interpretation and context to that material. This relationship between the two types of sources is integral to scholarly work and research methodologies.