What are Primary Sources?

They are first-hand observations of a time, person, or event.  They include documents, images, or artifacts that contain original and non-analyzed information from the time period being researched.  They may be found in their original format or may have been reproduced at a later date.  Primary sources are the raw materials that help form the basis for critical analysis of a topic.

• Definition of Secondary and Tertiary Sources
• Examples of Primary, Seconday and Tertiary sources
• Sources in the Sciences

Print Resources

The library offers many print resources to begin your research.

• Reference books
• Search strategies in the Scotty catalog
• Primary source keywords

Online Resources

Primary resources are available online through our databases.

• History
  
• Newspapers
• Images
• United States Census