| Archives | Libraries |
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have unique materials, thereby providing distinctive points or view or rare information |
published materials, therefore multiple copies are usually available in various locations |
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organize collections by creator, which allows for a different perspective than a third party author |
materials are organized by subject, so everything on the same topic is put together making it easier to figure out what may or may not be helpful to your research |
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closed stacks, which means you are not able to browse or casually look through what is on the shelves |
open stacks, which means you can go to the shelves directly and select what you would like to use for your research |
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non-circulating materials, which means you are not able to take originals home. You either have to do all your research on site, or make copies of materials if the archives allows copies |
circulating materials, which means you can take the items with you (unless they are reference items). You are able to find materials on a "time crunch" and use them where it is convenient for you |
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have primary sources |
traditionally have secondary and tertiary sources |
Primary sources were either created during the time period being studied or were created at a later date by a participant in the events being studied (as in the case of memoirs). They reflect the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer. Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period
A secondary source is a work that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at least one step removed from the event is often based on primary sources. Examples include: scholarly or popular books and articles, reference books, and textbooks.
Secondary sources are often used to understand primary sources.
Below is a video that explains the differences between primary and secondary sources if you would like additional information on this topic.
Tert...what?
I can guarantee that you've all used tertiary sources, you just didn't know that's what you were using!
A tertiary source provides compiled information: they draw their content from primary and secondary sources, and present it to you usually in a brief and concise format. Things like encyclopedias, textbooks, guidebooks, factbooks, chronologies, and indexes are all recognized as being tertiary sources.
Tertiary sources are an excellent way for you to obtain the background on a topic, idea or event, and to begin figuring out what primary and secondary sources you will need to use for your research. However, tertiary resources are usually not considered acceptable for your works cited and/or bibliography, and professors will specify if there are tertiary resources they allow for your research papers.
