In historical research, what constitutes a primary source?

A primary source is defined as an original document or artifact that provides direct evidence or first-hand accounts of a historical event or period. This can include letters, photographs, official documents, diaries, artifacts, or recordings created at the time in question. Primary sources are invaluable for researchers because they offer unfiltered insights into the thoughts, experiences, and context of the time being studied.

In contrast to primary sources, secondary sources, such as books summarizing historical events or research papers analyzing past occurrences, interpret or analyze primary data and are created by someone who did not experience the events first-hand. This is why options that refer to summaries or interpretations of events do not qualify as primary sources—because they are one step removed from the original experience or document. Hence, the designation of an original document or artifact as a primary source is what makes it critical for historical research, allowing historians and researchers to draw conclusions based on direct evidence.