How to find primary sources

Evaluating primary sources

Consider the following aspects in order to help assess the quality, reliability, and value of a primary source to your research:

• Who wrote or created it?
• What was the writer or creator’s intent? Their argument?
• Was it created during the same time as the topic in question?
• Has it been edited or modified? By whom? When? Why?
• Is it an original version of the work? Is it revised? Revised by whom? In what ways?
• Is it a reproduction? Are the reproduction details evident, allowing you to assess its authenticity?
• Who is its target audience?
• Is it a commentary on another topic? Does it refer to other items or resources?
• Do you think it is a credible piece of “evidence”? Why? What objections could possibly be raised about its credibility?

And remember: primary sources can (and often do) still contain bias or perspective so approach any primary material critically and evaluate it on your own terms as it relates to your project.

See also the Primary Sources Guide for History for more tips about how to evaluate primary sources.