When evaluating the quality of the information you are using, it is helpful to identify if you are using a Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary source. By doing so, you will be able to recognize if the author is reporting on their own first-hand experiences or relying on the views of others.
Source Type | Examples |
Primary A primary source is a first-person account of someone who experienced or witnessed an event. This original document has not been previously published or interpreted by anyone else. |
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Secondary A secondary source is one step removed from the primary source. The author is reexamining, interpreting, and forming conclusions based on the information conveyed in the primary source.
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Tertiary A tertiary source leads the researcher to a secondary rather than a primary source. |
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Each of these sources has its own strengths and weaknesses.