A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. Secondary sources are one step removed from the event.
Examples include:
Primary sources are original sources, in which witnesses or first recorders describe a time, person or event.
These sources offer original thought and have not been modified by interpretation.
Primary sources are original materials, regardless of format. For example, handwritten notes could be published in a print or electronic book, but the notes are still primary sources.
Some types of primary sources include:
Primary sources can be challenging to find. There isn't one place to search for them. Below are some starting points to find primary sources.
You can search Omni to find direct references to primary source material. Perform a keyword search for your topic and add one of the words below:
Many library databases have some primary sources. For example:
Consult the Newspapers guide for a list of databases and websites that you can use to find newspaper articles.
Digital source collections are also available through some databases, by searching Google or consulting the Internet Archive which has a large digitized sports and sporting television collection.
The library provides access to several streaming video services that include news and documentaries. These include: Curio.ca and NFB.
Online sources for broadcast journalism include the CBC archives.
When searching for news clips on YouTube, try searching a topic along with the broadcaster, for example "CTV," to sort out non-broadcast news content.