Primary Source
Original, first-hand account of an event or time period
Usually written or made during or close to the event or time period
Original, creative writing or works of art
Factual, not interpretive
Report of scientific discoveries
Results of experiments
Results of clinical trials
Social and political science research results
Factual, not interpretive
Secondary Source
Analyzes and interprets primary sources
Second-hand account of an historical event
Interprets creative work
Analyzes and interprets research results
Analyzes and interprets scientific discoveries