Evaluating Information
	Primary or Secondary?

In general, a primary source is a first-hand account. A diary, newspaper report, report of a scientific experiment or study are all examples of primary sources. A work of art, such as a music score, painting, novel, or poem is also a primary source, as is a film or video, news footage, or a performance of a play, ballet, or piece of music. A primary source can also be an original artifact, such as clothing, pottery, an arrowhead, a photograph, or a map. Census data or genealogical records are also primary sources.

A secondary source uses primary source information, commenting on or interpreting it, or describing it at second hand. A biography, a book about a news event or scientific discovery, or a review of a work of art or literature are examples of secondary sources. Textbooks and reference sources, such as encyclopedias, are also secondary sources.

Whether a source is considered primary or secondary may depend on what subject is being researched. For example, if you were studying changes in the critical reception of Mozart's operas over time, then reviews of the operas would be a primary source for your work. You might use older editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica as a primary source to study past perceptions and portrayals of non-European cultures. If you have any doubts about whether a source should be considered primary or secondary in terms of your assignment, please discuss them with your instructor.