When searching for primary sources, think about what types of materials might have been created by the people or organizations that are relevant to your research topic. Listed below by research field are some possible types of primary sources.
| Research field |
Primary source |
| History |
- Letters and diaries
- Photographs and video footage
- Official documents and records
- Physical objects
|
| Art and literature |
- Novels and poems
- Paintings and art installations
- Films and performances
|
| Communication and social studies |
- Interview transcripts
- Recordings of speeches
- Newspapers and magazines
- Social media posts
|
| Law and politics |
- Court records
- Legal texts
- Government documents
|
| Sciences |
- Empirical studies
- Statistical data
|
Streetkerk, R. (n.d.). Primary and secondary sources. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/primary-and-secondary-sources/
