What counts as a primary source or a secondary source varies depending on the discipline of study. What remains the same regardless of context is that primary sources represent something "original" or firsthand. Secondary sources are about primary sources and provide commentary, analysis, or interpretation of primary sources.
Here are a few examples:
Examples of primary and secondary sources
| Discipline |
Primary Source |
Secondary Source |
| Art |
Painting |
Article critiquing the painting |
| History |
Journal or diary |
Book about the experiences of the person who kept the diary |
| Literature |
Novel |
Book review |
| Biology |
Article reporting on an original empirical study |
Review article that interprets the findings of multiple original studies |