Research Tools
Today you are going to learn how to determine the difference between a primary and a secondary source. You will be using these kinds of sources in your research projects this year, so it is important to know the difference between the two so you can know what to search for when you conduct your research.
There are many types of sources that can be used to help you in your research of a particular topic. There are magazines, newspapers, interviews, video clips, journals, encyclopedias, and much more. But which sources are the best for you to use when you research? Well, that depends on what you are researching and what kind of information you are looking for!
This activity has two steps:
Step 1: The following webpage describes exactly what primary and secondary sources are and gives some examples of each. Follow this link, and read the sections entitled, “What is a primary source?” and “What is a secondary source?” Discuss with your partner to make sure both of you understand the difference between a primary and a secondary source. When you are finished, click the back button to return to this page. Are you and your partner ready?
Welcome back! Did you learn what primary and secondary sources are? Did you learn about how they are different?
Step 2: Now that you know what primary and secondary sources are, let’s practice! Follow the links below, one at a time, and decide with your partner which sources are examples of primary sources and which ones are examples of secondary sources. When you click on each link, you will see text, and some links will include pictures. Simply view what you see on the page you come to. Please do not click any other links when you get to the webpages. How would you use these types of sources in your own research? Discuss this with your partner. When you finish looking at each webpage example, click the back button to return to this page and go to the next example. Are you and your partner ready?
Go!
Finished? How many examples of sources did you view? Did you determine which were primary sources and which were secondary sources? Did you discuss with your partner how you could use each of these sources in your own research? Great! Keep this information in mind when you begin your research projects. It will help you to determine what kind of information you are looking for and where you can begin looking for it!
