Students conducting research need to understand the three types of sources they should seek out:
- Primary Sources
- Secondary Sources
- Tertiary Sources
Primary Sources
Primary Sources are original sources that include first-hand accounts from people who had a direct connection with a Subject. This can include diaries, military reports, interviews, depositions, oral histories, and speeches.
- Documents on American History Central are Primary Sources.
Secondary Sources
Secondary Sources are sources built from Primary Sources, including books, periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals), and electronic media (websites, social media, and video).
- Level 3 and Level 5 Entries on American History Central can typically be categorized as Secondary Sources.
- Most Level 1 Entries also qualify as Secondary Sources.
Tertiary Sources
Tertiary Sources are sources that consolidate information from Primary and Secondary Sources at a high level. They typically restate facts.
- Some Level 1 Entries can be considered Tertiary Sources.
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