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Getting Started with Library Research

An overview of the library research process in five steps.

Primary Sources vs. Secondary Recources

 

Primary sources are records created or made by individuals who were present at an event in the past, for example, as a witness. This is differentiated from secondary sources, which are records made after the event has happened and have the benefit of hindsight when writing about a past event. The ability to examine original records (a.k.a. primary sources) allows us to clarify our understanding of past events.

Secondary sources potentially have bias and unconscious views that infuse how they talk about an given event. Secondary sources may discount the contribution made by individuals or groups of people. It is hard to know if this is happening in your source unless you can compare primary sources to secondary sources.

Example of Primary Sources

 

Photographs Oral Histories Letters

 

Example of Secondary Sources

Newspapers* Books
Analysis or Interpretation of Information

*Newspapers can be considered a primary source in some disciplines and some contexts. 

Related Research Guides

For More Help with Primary Sources

Please request a research appointment with a Library Expert.

  • For using databases and general research, please choose "Meet with a Librarian"
  • For UC Merced Library Special Collections, please book an appointment with "an Archives & Special Collections Expert"