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A.P/U.S History Research Guide : Primary Source Research and Access

Welcome

Use this page to learn all about primary source research.

Primary Source Research Databases and Sites

Evaluating Primary Sources

Things to question on a primary source:

1. What form does the source take and what information does this form give you? 
2. Who is the creator of the source and for what purpose did they create the source?
3. What is the historical context of the source? 
4. Whose voices, opinions, experiences are missing from the source? 

Primary Source Research Tips

Tips on finding and using primary sources

To ensure that your source is reliable stick to library databases, government sites, museums and archives to find sources. 
Be knowledgeable about your topic and know what terms were used for your topic during the time you are researching. 
Secondary sources can lead you right to a primary source since secondary sources often cite primary sources. 
Try googling a topic keyword + "papers" or "archive" as this can lead to helpful results.