Another distinction you may be asked to make in sourcing information, is between primary and secondary sources.
primary sources
A primary source is a document that provides first hand information.
Examples include
diaries
letters
speeches
census records
photographs
secondary sources
A secondary source
describes or analyses original evidence or research.
Most materials in libraries are secondary sources.
Examples are
books
encyclopedias
periodicals
Karin,
General Studies student
"My chosen assignment was to find information on
the growth of the population in the Lismore area during
the 20th century. I found a local history book in the
library (a secondary source), and that
had some information, but that wasn't enough. The local
council had some statistical tables (a primary
source), which gave a lot more detail.
My teacher asked the class to list primary and secondary
sources separately when listing our sources".
