Helpful tips

Is a dissertation a primary source?

Is a dissertation a primary source?

Examples of primary sources: Theses, dissertations, scholarly journal articles (research based), some government reports, symposia and conference proceedings, original artwork, poems, photographs, speeches, letters, memos, personal narratives, diaries, interviews, autobiographies, and correspondence.

How do you tell if it is a primary or secondary source?

To determine if a source is primary or secondary, ask yourself:Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events you’re studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)?Does the source provide original information (primary), or does it summarize information from other sources (secondary)?

How do you do a secondary reference?

Give the secondary source in the reference list; in text, name the original work and give a citation for the secondary source. For example, if Allport’s work is cited in Nicholson and you did not read Allport’s work, list the Nicholson reference in the reference list.