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BIS 300: Interdisciplinary Inquiry (Vaughan): Primary Sources

What are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are artifacts created at the time of the event, issue or person you are studying. 

Some examples of primary sources include:

personal accounts (interviews, diaries, letters, etc.)

images (photographs, paintings, maps, etc.)

newspapers

government documents

videos (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

social media posts (Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

Primary sources are not "best" or "better" than others. They are primary because they allow *you* to analyze them and decide how they will contribute to your research - instead of using the analysis someone else has done. 

There are many other examples of primary sources, as well!

Images and Videos

Consult the Images Research Guide for more image resources! 

Government Documents & Information

Video and Social Media