What is a key characteristic of primary sources?

A key characteristic of primary sources is that they contain firsthand accounts and original findings. Primary sources are original materials created at the time under study, offering direct evidence or firsthand testimony regarding a particular event, phenomenon, or subject. This could include documents such as diaries, speeches, manuscripts, photographs, and original research reports, among others.

By providing firsthand accounts, primary sources enable researchers, students, and scholars to engage directly with the material and draw their own conclusions based on the original data or experiences presented. This contrasts with secondary sources, which interpret or analyze primary sources and provide summaries or critiques of existing research, lacking the immediacy and direct connection to the original events or data. Therefore, the essence of primary sources lies in their originality and authenticity, making them invaluable for understanding historical contexts and engaging in research.