What does primary source mean?
Definitions for primary source
pri·ma·ry source
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word primary source.
Wiktionary
primary sourcenoun
A historical document that was created at or near the time of the events studied, by a known person, for a known purpose
Wikipedia
Primary source
In the study of history as an academic discipline, a Primary Source (also called an original source or evidence) is an artifact, document, diary, manuscript, autobiography, recording, or any other source of information that was created at the time under study. It serves as an original source of information about the topic. Similar definitions can be used in library science, and other areas of scholarship, although different fields have somewhat different definitions. In journalism, a primary source can be a person with direct knowledge of a situation, or a document written by such a person.Primary sources are distinguished from secondary sources, which cite, comment on, or build upon primary sources. Generally, accounts written after the fact with the benefit (and possible distortions) of hindsight are secondary. A secondary source may also be a primary source depending on how it is used. For example, a memoir would be considered a primary source in research concerning its author or about his or her friends characterized within it, but the same memoir would be a secondary source if it were used to examine the culture in which its author lived. "Primary" and "secondary" should be understood as relative terms, with sources categorized according to specific historical contexts and what is being studied.
Wikidata
Primary source
Primary sources are original materials. Information for which the writer has no personal knowledge is not primary, although it may be used by historians in the absence of a primary source. In the study of history as an academic discipline, a primary source is an artifact, a document, a recording, or other source of information that was created at the time under study. It serves as an original source of information about the topic. Similar definitions are used in library science, and other areas of scholarship, although different fields have somewhat different definitions. In journalism, a primary source can be a person with direct knowledge of a situation, or a document written by such a person. Primary sources are distinguished from secondary sources, which cite, comment on, or build upon primary sources. Generally, accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight are secondary. A secondary source may also be a primary source depending on how it is used. "Primary" and "secondary" are relative terms, with sources judged primary or secondary according to specific historical contexts and what is being studied.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of primary source in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of primary source in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1
Examples of primary source in a Sentence
You have treasured your MIND more than your 'SELF' and that's the primary source of unhappiness!
Reduced consumption of sugary beverages among children and adults alike could be extremely beneficial for efforts to reduce obesity rates as these beverages are still widely consumed and are a primary source of added sugars and extra calories in Americans ’ diets.
We hypothesize this is the primary source of virus in saliva.
Based on independent analysis, two things are clear, one : Natural gas will be a significant source of power generation in the United States. Two : Oil will continue to be used a primary source of transportation fuel.
One : Natural gas will be a significant source of power generation in the United States. Two : Oil will continue to be used a primary source of transportation fuel.
Translations for primary source
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- مصدر ابتدائيArabic
- fuente principalSpanish
- source principaleFrench
- मुख्य स्रोतHindi
- sumber utamaIndonesian
- 一次情報Japanese
- primærkildeNorwegian
- fonte primáriaPortuguese
- первоисточникRussian
- แหล่งที่มาหลักThai
- nguồn chínhVietnamese
- 主要资源Chinese
Get even more translations for primary source »
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"primary source." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 13 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/primary+source>.
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