Primary and Secondary Sources

Overview

Using relevant and trustworthy sources is a key element of conducting research in any field. Primary and secondary sources provide information necessary for historians to develop theories or interpretations about the past. In this activity, you will explore the existing literature relevant to your research question and identify one primary and one secondary source that will help you answer your research question.

Please remember to review and keep all instructor feedback. Each module activity will prepare you for an aspect of your final project, and you will have a future opportunity to improve your work.

Prompt

Use the provided Module Two Activity Template: Primary and Secondary Sources Word Document to complete this activity. You will first discuss the differences between primary and secondary sources and articulate why using both are essential to historical research. You will then identify sources relevant to the research question you wrote in the previous module. Finally, you will identify a current event related to the subject of your historical research question.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

• Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
  • What are the differences between them?
• Explain why it is important to consult a variety of sources when conducting historical research.
  • Why should you avoid relying only on one type of source? What are the benefits of using a diversity of sources?
• Identify one primary source that would help investigate your research question.
  • Using the HIS 100 Library Guide in the Shapiro Library, skim through the suggested resources or find your own. Ensure they are credible and relevant to your research question.
• Identify one secondary source that would help investigate your research question.
  • Using the HIS 100 Library Guide in the Shapiro Library, skim through the suggested resources or find your own. Ensure they are credible and relevant to your research question.
• Choose a current event related to the subject of your research question and explain how they are connected.
  • Read what you wrote in the previous module’s activity about how your historical topic is relevant to modern society. Using your response and what you have learned thus far about your topic, identify a specific current event that you feel is relevant to your research question. Then explain how the current event is connected to your research question. Keep in mind that the link between your topic and your current event will become clearer as you continue to research.