Primary sources are firsthand accounts of a topic. Primary sources are written or created during the time period being studied, or by a person directly involved in the event. Some types of primary sources are listed below.
	Original Documents	Creative Works	Artifacts
	Diaries/Journals	Novels	Jewelry
	Speeches	Music	Tools
	Letters	Films	Pottery
	Autobiographies	Visual Art	Pottery Interviews
	Interviews	Poetry	Buildings
	Research Data	Performing Arts	Furniture
	News Film Footage
Secondary Sources interpret and analyze primary sources.  Some types of secondary sources are listed below.
	Textbooks	Journal Articles	Histories
	Criticism	Commentaries	Encyclopedias
	Biographies

Knowing how to locate and use reference materials can save time and improve research effectiveness. If you are uncertain about where to begin your research, start in the Reference Office or follow a basic research method. A reliable, proven model has you identify the kind of information you need so you can select the appropriate types of sources to find that information. Reference Books and eBooks Subject Resources Academic Books (The Library's Book Collection) Periodical or Journal Articles Librarians The (Free) Web

Top Level Domain (TDL) name for each Web page provides basic information about the provider of the Web page.

.com - commerical organizations

.edu - educational organizations

.org - non-governmental organizations

.net - network provider

.biz - business

.mil - armed forces

.gov - governmental entities

Librarians provide assistance in locating sources at any step in this process but can be especially helpful in identifying and using indexes, abstracts, and bibliographies that lead to more extensive or specialized resources.

Every book, article, or web page is written for a particular purpose: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, to poke fun at . . . Before you accept the information in the book, article,or web page you need to analyze it. You need to understand it before you choose how to use the information it contains. The following questions are provided so that you may evaluate each source you consider for use.
Criterion #1: Accuracy		Criterion #4: Currency
How reliable and free of error is the information?		Is the content of the work up-to-date?
Are there editors and fact checkers?		Is the publication date clearly labeled?
Criterion #2: Authority		Is the date an indication of:
			Date information first written?
What are the author's qualifications for writing on this subject?
			Date information placed on the Web?
			Date information last revised?
How reputable is the publisher or web sponsor?
		Criterion #5: Coverage
Criterion #3: Objectivity
		What topics are included in the work?
Is the information presented with a minimum of bias?
		Are the topics included explored in depth?
To what extent is the information trying to sway opinion of the audience?