Ask us now

Primary vs. Secondary Materials

Definitions:

PRIMARY LITERATURE
This information is a first hand account generated by the people directly involved in an event or activity. Data included has not been filtered through analysis or evaluation.
SECONDARY LITERATURE
Information about primary or original information that has been interpreted, modified, selected, or combined with other sources of information is known as secondary literature. The source is usually not written by the actual participants or witnesses.
TERTIARY LITERATURE
Rather than reporting or commenting on an event or activity, tertiary sources collect, condense, summarize and categorize primary and secondary literature. Reference sources such as encyclopedias, almanacs and guides are all examples of tertiary literature.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Produced by The Pearl A. Wanamaker Library, Tacoma Community College.

Distinguishing between Primary and Secondary Sources
Developed by the University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Using Primary Sources on the Web
Written by the Instruction & Research Services Committee of the Reference and User Service Association History Section in the American Library Association.

 Maintained by
 Content Revised: December 3, 2008
 Content Created: May 26, 2005

Back to top