The main difference between primary and secondary sources is that primary sources are the raw information or the first-hand evidence you gather in research, while secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze the information from primary sources.
Both primary and secondary sources are important in a research study. Primary sources are the main object of analysis, whereas secondary sources involve others’ interpretation or analysis of the information in primary sources. For example, when conducting a research study on World War I, diary entries of an army general may be taken as the primary source, whereas a book written on the subject of World War I by a professor can be taken as a secondary source.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Primary Sources
– Definition, Features, Examples
2. What are Secondary Sources
– Definition, Features, Examples
3. Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Primary Sources, Secondary Sources
What are Primary Sources
Primary sources are the raw information or the first-hand evidence you gather in research. In any research study, it’s the primary source that gives you direct evidence about the events or phenomena you are researching. They can be interview transcripts, survey results, official documents, works of art, or statistical data. These can be quantitative or qualitative data. They are typically the main objects of the analysis. For example, if you are conducting research on Shakespearean language, works of literature written by Shakespeare is your primary source. Similarly, if you are researching a spread of a particular disease, your primary sources might include medical statistical data, interviews with medical officials and patients, laboratory reports, etc.
If you are researching a historical event, you may not be able to access direct evidence as people associated with it are no longer alive. But you can use the sources produced by witnesses at that time – for example, photographs, video footage, letters, diary entries, and newspaper reports at the time of the event.
What are Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze the information from primary sources. Therefore, they are closely related to primary sources. These sources often describe, generalize, and synthesize primary sources. Journal articles, reference books, textbooks, encyclopedias, documentaries, and academic essays are some examples. In addition, synopses, descriptions, or reviews of artistic works are also examples of secondary sources.
When we cite secondary sources in a research study, we don’t usually analyze them directly. But we use them to support our arguments, formulate new theories, or argue against existing information in the field. In other words, we build up our own theories or arguments about the primary sources using the secondary sources. Secondary sources help us to gather information and draw conclusions about primary sources.
Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources
Definition
Primary sources are the raw information or the first-hand evidence you gather in research, while secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze the information from primary sources.
Information
While primary sources give us direct, first-hand information, secondary sources are other peoples’ interpretations of this information.
Function
Primary sources are the main object of analysis in a research study, whereas secondary sources describe, interpret, generalize, or synthesize primary sources.
Objectivity
Sometimes, primary sources can be subjective and personal since an individual’s account of an incident may be coloured by his views and experience. However, secondary sources tend to be more objective.
Examples
Interview transcripts, survey results, official documents, works of art, photographs, video footage, and diary entries are some examples of primary sources, while journal articles, reference books, textbooks, encyclopedias, documentaries, and academic essays are some examples of secondary sources.
Conclusion
The main difference between primary and secondary sources is that primary sources are the raw information or the first-hand evidence you gather in research, while secondary sources are sources that interpret or analyze the information from primary sources. Both primary and secondary sources are important in a research study.
Reference:
1. “What Are Primary Sources?” UCI Libraries Mobile Site.
2. Streefkerk, Raimo. “Primary and Secondary Sources: Explained with Easy Examples.” Scribbr, 26 Mar. 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Primary Sources” By Shonnmharen – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Secondary Sources” By Shonnmharen – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply