What is a primary source?
A primary source is a first hand account of an event or an object or document created by a person or in a place being researched.
Primary sources are contextual.
For instance, a newspaper article may be primary source for one topic (an first hand account from the time being studied) OR if could be a secondary source (discussion of an event that occurred in the past). There is nothing inherent in a document that makes it a primary or secondary source. The content, not the format/container, determines if a item is a primary source for your topic.
The Craft of Research by Publication Date: 2016eBook. ProQuest.
The first six chapters are the best in looking at research as an unfolding series of questions.
Terms to help locate primary sources
To find primary sources on you topic, try searching you topic in combination with one of the following search terms that focus on the format.
| Search Term | When To Use It |
| sources | generic term, often produces the most results |
| archive | use with organizations, individuals and families |
| archival resources | use with topics and geographic areas (counties, cities, etc.) |
| correspondence | use with individuals, familes, classes of people, ethnic groups |
| diaries | use with individuals and families |
| manuscripts | use with individuals |
| notebooks, sketchbooks, etc. | use with individuals |
| personal narratives | use with names of events |
| personnel records | use with organizations and military units |
| records and correspondence |
use with organizations and groups |
| speeches, addresses, etc |
use with individuals or groups |
Example Search
A search in WorldCat.org or the Library Catalog on the terms "slaves and correspondence" finds books that includes primary source material on African Americans during the Civil War and Reconstruction. You can search for multiple keywords, in the Library Catalog or in Worldcat, by combining multiple terms with the word OR. Ex: (sources OR correspondence OR diaries OR manuscripts OR narratives OR personnel records OR speeches)
WorldCat interfaces
- WorldCat Discovery This link opens in a new windowPublic WorldCat search interface. Information on the holdings of the world's libraries.
- WorldCat FirstSearch This link opens in a new windowSubscription interface. Choose this version if you want to use advanced searching techniques, including sorting by number of libraries who own an item. WorldCat provides information on the holdings of the world's libraries. The public version, designed for most users, is available online at worldcat.org and on the databases list.
Access to the Library Catalog from the Blume Library
- Discover This link opens in a new window
Blume Library's primary search tool. This robust feature helps scholars find scholarly journals and articles, books, eBooks, music, videos, government information, and more. Input the keywords of your research to generate a results list full of articles and items covering the topic. Use boolean phrases (AND, OR, NOT) and other limiters to focus a search or modify a results list. This tool searches most of the Blume Library holdings including the Library Catalog of physical items and eResources.
Learn more about this powerful resource: DISCOVER
Reach out to a Blume Librarian for research assistance: RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
- Library CatalogUse the Library Catalog, primarily, when you are wanting to find physical items in the Blume Library and Law Library