Differentiating Primary and Secondary Sources

This tutorial explains the difference between primary and secondary sources. It uses a TV show and a blog post as examples to illustrate how primary sources are original materials from the time of an event, while secondary sources are analyses or interpretations created after the event. The video also describes various forms of secondary sources, such as scholarly books and social media, and primary sources, like artifacts and documents. Additionally, it highlights resources available at WSU libraries for finding these sources.

What are you required to use when writing a research paper according to the professor?

• At least two primary sources and three secondary sources

• Only primary sources

• Only secondary sources

• At least three primary sources and two secondary sources

In the given example, what is considered a primary source?

• The television show

• The critique

• The social media post

• The blog post

What is a secondary source in the given example?

• The television show

• The blog post

• The diary

• The photograph

Which of the following is NOT a form of secondary source?

• Military equipment

• Newspaper reviews

• Journal articles

• Scholarly books

Which of these can be considered a secondary source?

• A scholarly book

• A letter

• A photograph

• A diary

What are primary sources?

• Social media posts

• Reviews and critiques

• Documents or objects created during the time under study

• Documents or objects created after the event

Which of the following is an example of a primary source?

• A scholarly book

• A journal article

• A military artifact

• A newspaper review

Why are primary sources valuable?

• They are written by experts

• They are easy to find

• They offer an inside look at a certain point in history

• They are always accurate

Where can you find digital collections of primary sources at WSU?

• In the fiction section

• In the primary source research guide

• In the library catalog

• In the social media archives

What is a good option for finding articles and books about an event or object you are studying?

• Smart search

• Social media

• Personal blogs

• Fiction books