How do you tell if the source is primary or secondary?

If exploring how an event affected people at a certain time, this type of source would be considered a primary source. If exploring the event, then the opinion piece would be responding to the event and therefore is considered to be a secondary source.

What is the main distinction between primary and secondary?

Primary sources can be described as those sources that are closest to the origin of the information. Secondary sources often use generalizations, analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include textbooks, articles, and reference books.

How do you tell if it is a secondary source?

A secondary source is generally one or more steps removed from the event or time period and are written or produced after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. Secondary sources often lack the freshness and immediacy of the original material.

Is a textbook a primary source or secondary source?

A textbook can either be a secondary or tertiary source and, in seldom cases, a primary source. In most cases, the author of a textbook interprets prescribed theories of a topic and would, therefore, be a secondary source. A textbook can be a tertiary source when it simply indexes information about a particular topic.

Is a photograph a secondary source?

Secondary sources can include: Most books about a topic. Analysis or interpretation of data. Documentaries (though they often include photos or video portions that can be considered primary sources).

Is the photograph a primary secondary or a tertiary source?

For example, a photograph or video of an event is a primary source. Data from an experiment is a primary source. Secondary sources are one step removed from that. Secondary sources are based on or about the primary sources.