However, it’s up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate.Īlways make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.

Primary sources are often considered the most credible in terms of providing evidence for your argument, as they give you direct evidence of what you are researching. If you use one of these in your research, it is probably a primary source. Some types of source are nearly always primary: works of art and literature, raw statistical data, official documents and records, and personal communications (e.g.

Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary)?.

To add extra information that doesn’t fit smoothly into the main text. Endnotes are used: For citations in certain styles. They’re indicated in the text with numbers (or occasionally other symbols).

Does the source provide original information (primary), or does it summarize information from other sources (secondary)? Endnotes are notes that appear at the end of your text in a piece of academic writing.

Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events you’re studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)?.To determine if a source is primary or secondary, ask yourself:

End notes