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Primary and Secondary Sources: Finding & Evaluating Primary Sources

Finding & Evaluating Primary Sources

evaluating primary sources, authority, intended audience, origin of the document, and evaluating content

When evaluating a primary source, especially an online one, it's important to ask yourself these questions.

  • Primary sources from the web? Be sure to evaluate the webpage creator as well.
  • Who is the intended audience? Is it scholarly?
  • Original material? Scanned image? Does the document or website link to other places?
  • Is it a well-designed website with dates and author information? Is it regularly updated?

"Evaluating Primary Sources", American Library Association, January 12, 2015. http://www.ala.org/rusa/sections/history/resources/primarysources/evaluating (Accessed March 5, 2019)