What are Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary sources?
Answer
Primary Sources
First hand account or evidence gathered by the author(s).
Examples include original research, diaries, photographs, autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories.
Secondary Sources
Describe, interpret, or analyze information obtained from other sources (often primary sources).
Examples include many books, textbooks, and review articles.
Tertiary Sources
Compile and summarize secondary sources.
Examples include encyclopedias, bibliographies, and handbooks.
Note
Some disciplines define these terms differently - check the assignment description or your Instructor.