1. Primary sources: Definition: First hand accounts or original sources that include such things as: Creative works such as literature, music, art, film, etc. Eyewitness accounts or the first record of events such as a diary, news footage of an event, or records of an organization Data from original research whether statistical or scientific Determine if a source is primary or secondary and find primary sources?

2. Examples of primary sources: Diaries, journals, speeches, letters, notes and other manuscripts of individuals Autobiographies or memoirs of an individual Original published materials: that are reports of academic or professional research such as books and journal articles; that are popular literature; or that record events that happened at the time of the event Photographs, films or movies, audio tapes, video recordings that are original works or record an event as it happened Various kinds of records of organizations or agencies Artifact of many types such as buildings, furniture, clothing, etc. Information, statistics, and records collected by governments

3. Secondary sources: Definition: Works that are second hand or that analyze, interpret, or describe a historical event, a creative work, a research report or other type of primary source.

4. Examples of secondary sources: Encyclopedias Textbooks Directories and fact books Commentaries Biographical dictionaries Book reviews Articles that analyze, interpret, or critique a work of literature, an art work, or a scientific or sociological study, a historical or political events, or trends in popular culture

5. Examples of Primary and Secondary Sources: DisciplinePrimary SourceSecondary Source ArtA piece of sculptureCritique of the sculptors work LiteratureA novelCritical study of the novel MusicThe recordings of Elvis Presley A history of popular music HistoryLetters of a PresidentA study of the economic policy of a President SociologyLabor Union documentsAn article on women in the workforce ScienceData and results of a scientific experiment (as reported in a journal article, lab notebook, etc.) An article in a popular magazine reviewing the results of the experiment CommunicationsVideotape of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center Book that describes and analyses that day and its effects on the United States

6. 1.How to find primary sources: In the library catalog or databases: - For works of literature or artFor works of literature or art - For historical researchFor historical research - For the social sciences or sciencesFor the social sciences or sciences On the World Wide Web

7. How do you search for primary sources? In the Library Catalog: a. For works of literature or art: Do an author search in the online catalog, using the author or artists name. Results: works by that author

8. b.For historical research: For research on a person, do a subject search using the persons name (last name, first name) and look for one of the following subheadings under the persons name in the subject list: - Correspondence - Diaries - Interviews - Sermons - Sources Examine the example of this search on the next page!

9. This is the search in the C-N Library Catalog: Reagan, Ronald - Correspondence

10. These are the results of the search in the C-N Library Catalog:

11. For research on historical events or periods, do a keyword search first, using the name of the event or era. Look at the Subjects in the record to get the Library of Congress subject heading. Then use that subject heading in a subject search and look for one of the following subheadings listed under the subject: - Correspondence - Diaries - Interviews - Personal narratives - Sources See the examples on the following pages!

12. This is the search in the C-N Library Catalog: This is one of the results:

13. First, scroll down in the catalog record to the heading on the left hand side: Subject After finding the subject heading that is closest to your topic, Slavery -- United States, do a subject search in the library catalog using that heading and look for the subheadings such as personal narratives, etc. Look at the example below: Another way to find the correct subject heading for doing a subject search is to use the Library of Congress Subject Heading books. For assistance, ask a librarian.Library of Congress Subject Heading

14. In the library databases: a. Databases that are primary source collections: –Art and Photography: ArtSTOR Photo Study Collection –Literature: Literature Online LitFinder –History and Multidisciplinary: American Civil War: Letters and Diaries Early Encounters in North America Evans Early American Imprints History Resource Center North American Womens Letters and Diaries –News: Newsbank –Statistics: Polling the Nations

15. b. Searching databases for primary research: Select the database appropriate to your topic (See Databases by Subject). If you wanted primary research on adolescent pregnancy, you might select a psychology database. Select Databases by Subject on the Library homepage. Then select: Psychology Select PsycINFO. Limit your search to: Peer Reviewed. Enter your search term. Examine the articles to verify that they give you the research purpose, methodology, and results. These articles will meet the scholarly or peer reviewed journal article guidelines. See example on next page.

17. On the World Wide Web: a.Using Primary Sources on the WebUsing Primary Sources on the Web b.Repositories of Primary SourcesRepositories of Primary Sources c. Searching for primary source materials on a topic: 1.Use a web search engine such as Google. 2.Use the following example for your search statement: topic and primary sources