Distinguishing Primary and Secondary Sources

The video tutorial from the University of Houston Libraries explains the difference between primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are first-hand accounts created by individuals with direct knowledge of an event, while secondary sources analyze and interpret primary sources. The classification of a source as primary or secondary depends on the context and discipline. Examples of primary sources include research studies, data, and letters, while secondary sources include books and articles. The video provides case studies in historical and health sciences research to illustrate these concepts.

What is a primary source?

• An analysis of previous findings

• A first-hand account of a topic

• A second-hand account of an event

• A summary of various sources

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Which of the following is NOT an example of a primary source?

• A diary

• A research study

• A textbook

• A letter

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What do secondary sources do?

• Offer direct evidence of events

• Create original data

• Analyze and interpret primary sources

• Provide first-hand accounts

Which of the following is considered a secondary source?

• A government document

• A scholarly article analyzing previous research

• A video recording of an event

• A map from the time period being studied

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In which discipline are original scholarly research articles considered primary sources?

• Humanities

• Sciences

• Philosophy

• Literature

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What makes a source primary or secondary?

• The length of the document

• The context in which it is used

• The author's credentials

• The publication date

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What would letters from the 1940s written by a family in internment camps be considered?

• Primary sources

• Secondary sources

• Tertiary sources

• None of the above

A scholarly book on Japanese-American internment written in the 1990s is considered a:

• Secondary source

• Primary source

• None of the above

• Primary and secondary source

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What type of source is a textbook about the human immune system?

• Primary source

• Secondary source

• Primary and secondary source

• None of the above

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If you have questions about primary and secondary sources, who should you contact?

• The author of the source

• UH Libraries

• Your instructor

• A fellow student

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