Primary sources are original documents created or experienced at the time of the event being researched. They are first-hand observations, contemporary accounts of events, and viewpoints of the time.
This page focuses on primary sources for the arts & humanities and social sciences. Please note, in the sciences, primary sources include journal articles that detail the results of original research.
Other types of information may also be considered to be primary sources if they are analyzed for their historical or cultural significance. If you're not sure what counts as a primary source for your assignment, ask your professor.
Although there is no "primary source" filter in OneSearch, you can filter your results in ways that will make you more likely to find primary sources.
Use the "resource type" filters on the left-hand side of the screen. Remember to click on "show more" to see all your options!
Although there is no "primary source" filter in OneSearch, you can filter your results in ways that will make you more likely to find primary sources
In the search box, adding words such as "oral history" or "diary" or "testimony" may be able to help you find such sources.
Some subjects will have more of these kinds of sources than others. Here are some examples of documents found with this technique.
Hostos Library provides access to databases that specialize in primary source materials.
Some documents fall into the public domain and are not covered by copyright. Under current copyright laws, public domain includes the following:
There are more complicated rules about anything published between 1923 and 1989.
What this means for your research is that there are many relevant primary sources available in the public domain. Google Books has digitized and made available many such books.
