What kind of source includes original documents created at the time of study?

• A. Primary Source
• B. Secondary Source
• C. Tertiary Source
• D. Compiled Source

Answer: (A)

A primary source includes original documents or firsthand accounts created during the time period being studied. These sources provide direct evidence or firsthand testimony of an event, experiment, or experience. Examples of primary sources include diaries, photographs, interviews, official documents, and artifacts. Researchers often use primary sources to gain insight into the thoughts, perspectives, and realities of individuals or societies at a specific moment in history, making them invaluable for historical analysis and understanding.

In contrast, secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources and are created after the event has taken place, such as textbooks or articles that summarize research findings. Tertiary sources compile or distill information from primary and secondary sources and include encyclopedias or bibliographies, while compiled sources are collections of materials, but don’t specifically refer to the original nature of the documents like primary sources do. Thus, primary sources stand out as the most direct link to the past.