Primary sources are original sources. For example, a government study presenting education statistics based upon observation, on-site measurement, and/or data collection, is a primary source.
Books or journal articles interpreting or otherwise discussing such data are secondary sources. NYIT instructors might, on occasion, require you to find and incorporate into your research paper material from one or more primary sources.
This list contains links to a number of primary sources OR to sources discussing how effectively to find and use primary sources in the classroom.
Photographer: Jeff Ratcliff
Primary Document Sources / How to Use Primary Sources in the Classroom
American Memory (Library of Congress) (18 categories, including...)
...American Memory: Technology, Industry / War, Military / Etc.
Archives
Resource Center (ARC) : From state
archives, for classroom use.
Primary Sources on the Web (History/Social Studies) (Education Place, Houghton Mifflin)
Teaching with Documents: Lesson plans + links to documents (The National Archives)
The University of Maryland defines, differentiates, and clarifies PRIMARY, SECONDARY, and TERTIARY sources HERE.
Brief Definitions w/ Examples
Primary source: Original material. Examples: Original research, diaries, interviews, conference proceedings, autobiographies -- all created in the time period involved without subsequent interpretation.
Secondary source: Interpretations or evaluations of primary sources. Examples: Biographies, textbooks, criticism/reviews.
Tertiary source: Collection and distillation of primary and secondary sources. Examples: Almanacs, directories, fact books, guide books.
NOTE: Definitions can vary depending upon discipline and/or context.
