Primary Research
What is Primary Research?
Primary research is new research, carried out to answer specific issues or questions. It can be research you carry out yourself.
How to identify a contemporary primary source?
- Reports independent data collected during a clinical trial or study
- Written by the researchers who have conducted the study
- Abstract contains specific information about the subjects of the study, eg., age- range, gender, total number of participants
- Hypothesis and purpose of the research is presented
- Research results are followed by a discussion and interpretation
- Appendices, References, or Works cited sections may include questionnaires or survey instruments.
Source: LibGuides at Jefferson College of Health Sciences http://libguides.jchs.edu
What are Historical Primary Sources?
A historical primary source is a document or physical object written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period under study and offer an inside view of a particular event,
How to identify an historical primary source?
- Original documents, including excerpts and translations: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records
- Creative works: poetry, drama, novels, music, art
- Relics and artefacts: pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings
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