Libraries

International Students' Guide to Research Skills and Using the KU Libraries: Primary vs. Secondary Sources

This guide, designed especially for the needs of international students, provides explanations of how to do research using the KU Libraries' resources. It includes links, tutorials, and step-by-step instructions on developing research skills.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources - Tutorial

Primary and Secondary Sources PowerPoint

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Graphic for Primary Vs. Secondary Sources

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Examples of primary sources include:

  • Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII 
  • The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History 
  • A journal article reporting NEW research or findings 
  • Weavings and pottery - Native American history 
  • Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece 

Examples of secondary sources include:

  • A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings 
  • A history textbook 
  • A book about the effects of WWI 

 text from Princeton Libraries website: http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html

Source Types - Links to additional resource pages

See additional pages related to Source Types, Scholarly Journals, and Additional Online Resources .

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