Check out this quick video for a basic understanding of primary and secondary sources.

When searching the library databases or open web for information resources, you will need to evaluate whether the sources you find are primary or secondary. They are usually not labeled as one or the other, so you will need to make that determination. Your librarian can help.

Primary and secondary sources of information are often dependent on what you are researching. For this assignment, your primary resources will most likely be:

• interviews with artists or art specialists
• original art objects or photographs of original art objects
• letters and diaries 
• critical reviews of art published during the time period of the art you have selected to study

Primary sources are first-hand observations or experiences of an event. They can also be the original sources of information before they have been analyzed, such as statistical data sets and original creations, such as works of art. For the purposes of this assignment, photos of art objects from the Met and/or from sources such as the Bridgeman Images Library will be your primary sources.  Often there is written information accompanying these images. When you are citing and annotating the images of your art objects, focus only on the art object itself not any accompanying, written information. Ask your librarian if you need more explanation or clarificaiton on this.

Secondary sources are created after an event occurred and offer a review or an analysis of the event; they provide an interpretation of the primary source. 

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

When conducting research you may also be asked to identify whether an information resource is a Primary or Secondary Source of information.Typically, this might occur in History classes or courses which utilize various historical texts or subjects. Below is a brief overview of what constitutes a primary resource and a secondary resource.

Still not certain? These links also describe the difference between primary and secondary sources.

Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources