In humanities disciplines like history and literature, a primary source is an item produced from the time you are researching (e.g., photographs, a letters, newspaper articles, government documents). Looking at actual sources from a specific time helps you get a firsthand account of what was happening then.
In the sciences and social sciences, research data and original research studies are also considered primary sources.
Secondary sources provide analysis of primary sources (e.g., scholarly articles and books).
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Oral histories are important sources of history and narrative in many Native American cultures and traditions. These examples bring to the forefront Indigenous perspectives and traditions.