What type of sources are considered "primary sources" in research?

Primary sources are defined as original materials that provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts of an event, experience, or phenomenon. In research, documents and reports created by original researchers are invaluable because they present the data and findings directly from the source, without any interpretation or alteration by others. This includes things like research studies, interviews, and original historical documents, which allow researchers to engage with the material in its original context.

In contrast, reputable textbooks and encyclopedias are considered secondary sources because they compile and summarize information from various primary and secondary sources. While they can be valuable for context, they do not provide firsthand evidence. Similarly, analysis or critiques of earlier studies also fall under secondary sources, as they interpret or evaluate the findings of primary research rather than offering new, original data. Popular articles aimed at general audiences tend to simplify complex information and are often derived from secondary sources, which means they lack the direct, original data that characterizes primary sources. Thus, option B is the correct choice because it directly identifies documents created by original researchers as primary sources.