How do we use secondary sources?

Secondary sources:provide vital background information. Having as much knowledge as possible about the text or event about which you are researching is crucial. inform you as to what others have said so you can avoid repeating ideas that are already out there,can be used to support your ideas or to show an alternative view.

Why is a bibliography a secondary source?

If your point of reference is a book, an article, or an overview of an event, the chances are that it is a secondary source. These texts will have a bibliography and a list of references. This bibliography will include the works that inspired the research, or were quoted within the text itself.

Why is a book a secondary source?

Secondary sources were created by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For a historical research project, secondary sources are generally scholarly books and articles. A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources.

Are secondary sources biased?

Secondary sources are always biased, in one sense or another, so engaging with the primary source yourself allows you to view the topic objectively. Primary and secondary sources complement each other – looking at both can give you a deeper understanding of each.