Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources

Introduction

• Purpose: Help identify primary and secondary sources.
• Focus: Traits, examples, and usage of each type.

Primary Sources

• Definition: Firsthand accounts created by individuals who directly witnessed events.
• Examples:
  • Social Studies:
    • Newspaper articles from the Revolutionary War
    • Transcripts of speeches (e.g., George Washington)
    • Journals of Lewis and Clark
    • Newsreel footage from WWII
  • Art:
    • Willow basket by Apache Indian artist
    • Mary Cassatt's painting "Little Girl In Blue Armchair"
    • Wassily Kandinsky's "Circles In a Circle"
  • Science:
    • Statistics on bee population decline
    • Wright brothers' patent drawings

When to Use Primary Sources

• When wanting to understand firsthand experiences.
• Examples:
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Photographs
  • Videos
  • Interpreting data independently
  • Personal reflections on art/literature

Secondary Sources

• Definition: Interpretations and analyses of primary sources, created by experts.
• Examples:
  • Social Studies:
    • Books discussing the Revolutionary War perspectives
    • Articles analyzing speaking styles (e.g., George Washington)
    • Biographies (e.g., York's role in Lewis and Clark expedition)
    • Documentaries on WWII events
  • Art:
    • Articles on Native American basket weaving
    • Biographies about artists (e.g., Mary Cassatt)
    • Art lectures (e.g., Kandinsky)
  • Science:
    • Newspaper articles on bee population help
    • Books on the Wright brothers' invention process

When to Use Secondary Sources

• To gather background information on a topic.
• When seeking expert analysis or interpretation.

Examples and Practice

• Mo Willems Books:
  • Primary: "Waiting Is Not Easy!"
  • Secondary: Biography of Mo Willems
• Oregon Salmon Populations:
  • Primary: Raw data from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Secondary: Article on salmon population efforts
• Children on the Oregon Trail:
  • Primary: Covered wagon in a museum
  • Secondary: Website on wagon travel experiences

Conclusion

• Understanding primary vs. secondary sources is crucial for research.
• For more information, explore OSLIS (Oregon School Library Information System).

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to the Oregon CLIP Project for their contributions.