In the humanities and some social sciences, a primary source is generally considered to be a document or object created in a particular time, providing contemporary accounts of events. Primary sources are original documents, giving first-hand perspectives of someone who experienced or witnessed the event being discussed.
Examples of primary sources in the humanities and select social sciences include: letters, diaries, autobiographies, newspaper or magazine articles, photographs, advertisements and cartoons, speeches, paintings, interviews, research data and statistics, public opinion polls, etc.
In the sciences, as well as some social sciences, primary sources are original articles or other texts describing a researcher's new experimental data, results, and/or theories. These primary articles usually contain an introduction, methods, and results section. However, some review articles (which are not primary sources) also contain these sections, so the reader should always review the article's content to assess it. An article can appear in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal and not be a primary source (e.g., editorials, review articles, book reviews).
A secondary source is an interpretation or analysis of the document, object, or event, at a later date. Secondary sources comment on or review one or more primary sources. Secondary sources are at least one step removed from the primary source.
Examples of secondary sources in the humanities and some social sciences include: scholarly or popular books, journal article analyzing primary sources, documentary movies, etc. Examples of secondary sources in the sciences and some social sciences include newspaper articles summarizing an experiment and review articles summarizing many primary articles on the same subject.
The following resources will provide access to primary sources that are first-hand or original documents or objects created in a particular time, providing contemporary accounts of events.
AT TREXLER LIBRARY
Trexler Library has many primary sources in its collection. Search Encompass Search to find these items. Include keywords in your search that describe the topic or event you are researching, as well as words that might describe the type of primary source (e.g., interviews, correspondence, diaries, personal narratives, sources, speeches) to focus your search.
Trexler Library also provides access to some databases with primary source material.
See Databases A to Z to access these databases for more or Ask a Librarian.
The Special Collections and Archives Department of Trexler Library is the repository for the College's collections of rare books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera, as well as material relating to the College's history.
FROM OTHER LIBRARIES
Libraries around the country have primary sources, as well. These items may be available to Muhlenberg College students, staff, and faculty via Interlibrary Loan. Use Encompass Search to search for them. Include keywords in your search that describe the topic or event you are researching, as well as words that might describe the type of primary source (e.g., interviews, correspondence, diaries, personal narratives, sources, speeches). Request items from other libraries using the Interlibrary Loan button.
Local historical collections (like the Lehigh County Historical Society) often collect primary documents originating in the area and make them accessible to students and scholars.
ON THE WEB
Many libraries, museums, historical societies, and other institutions provide digitized collections of primary sources on the web. Some noteworthy online collections and resources include:
On this page:
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