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HY 497: History Capstone

What is a Secondary Source?

Finding secondary sources is often quite a bit easier than finding primary sources. In essence, a secondary source provides analysis or criticism. It brings together both primary and secondary sources to provide an interpretation of events, people, places, etc.

Examples:

  • Biographies
  • Criticism and Interpretations
  • Dictionaries
  • Encyclopedias
  • Index and Abstracts
  • Journal Articles
  • Literature Reviews
  • Scholarly books on subject matter (often referred to as "monographs")
  • Textbooks