Skip to Main Content

Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons

Guides

Catalog Search

Site Search

FAQ Search

Political Science

Subject headings for Primary Sources

Library catalogs and some databases will provide subheadings to indicate that the item in a primary source.

For people, search a person’s name by author, not by subject. If you search by subject, you will find works about them, which is likely going to be a secondary source. If you search by author, you will find works by them, which are more likely to be primary sources!

For events, search by subject then look for subheadings in your search that say things such as:

  • correspondence
  • diaries
  • interviews
  • personal narratives
  • sources
  • speeches
  • letters

Check the publication date. If it was published during the time of the event, it is probably a primary source.

Think about how the author/creator knows the information. If they were there or witnessed the event, it is a primary source.

Primary Sources on the Web

Finding Primary Sources

  • Use the library catalog subheadings in combination with your search term
  • Pay attention to the footnotes and references in your reading
  • Use databases and credible websites which include primary sources

Get Research Help

chat loading...

Business and Economics Librarian

Profile Photo
Jason Hall
He/Him/His
Contact:
Lemieux Library
Seattle University

2nd Floor Research Services
(206) 398-4484
Subjects: Business