History 328: History of Forensic Pathology and Legal Medicine   Tags: course_guide  

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The definitions of primary and secondary sources vary somewhat, depending on the subject area.

In English, History, Social Sciences, Literature and most other liberal arts, primary sources are works that were created during the time period about which they are written or by eye-witnesses of an event.

In Science and Mathematics, journal articles that discuss new discoveries, as opposed to summarizing previously written material, are considered primary sources, along with all the materials included in the liberal arts primary source list.

In contrast, secondary sources are works that interpret or analyze the content of the primary sources.  Most reference books, text books, and scholarly publications are secondary resources. 

[source: Undergraduate Assignment Assistants Guide]