How do I find primary sources?
Answer
There are many different ways to find and access primary sources.
In the humanities and social sciences, a primary source usually refers any first-hand account of an event, person, or place, which can include diaries, memoirs, letters, or newspapers. They can also include artwork, performances, or photographs. McKillop librarians put together a research guide about these types of primary sources and how to find them: History Research Guide: Primary Source
Examples of primary sources can also include the text of a law or other original documents, datasets or survey data, such as census or economic data.
In the sciences, a primary source can include reports on the results of an experiment or research study by the people who conducted it. This is opposed to a review or meta analysis, which looks at many studies on a particular topic and draws broad conclusions. Primary sources in the sciences can also include case reports, clinical studies, technical reports, and the data generated in the process of conducting an experiment.