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University of Oregon
UO Libraries

History

A guide for patrons conducting historical research in the University of Oregon Libraries.

Primary Resources

What is a primary source?

Primary sources are documents, web pages, videos, etc., created by people or organizations directly involved in an issue or event. Primary sources are information before it has been analyzed by scholars, students, and others.

Some examples of primary sources:

  • diaries and letters
  • academic articles presenting original scientific research
  • news reports from the time of the event
  • literature (poems, novels, plays, etc.)
  • fine art (photographs, paintings, sculpture, pottery, music etc.)
  • official records from a government, judicial court, or company
  • oral histories
  • speeches
  • autobiographies

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Japanese Studies and History Librarian

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Kevin McDowell
Contact:
541-346-8923