What is classified as a primary source in research?

• A. A reference book summarizing events
• B. An original document or firsthand account
• C. A scholarly article analyzing historical events
• D. An opinion piece on a historical topic

Answer: (B)

A primary source in research is an original document or firsthand account that provides direct evidence about a subject being studied. This could include diaries, letters, photographs, official documents, interviews, and artifacts. Since primary sources are created at the time of the events or experiences being documented, they offer authentic insights and perspectives that secondary sources, like analyses or summaries, cannot. As such, they are invaluable in research because they provide unmediated access to the time or subject studied, allowing researchers to draw their conclusions or interpretations directly from the evidence.

In contrast, a reference book summarizing events offers interpreted information, making it a secondary source. Similarly, scholarly articles typically analyze previous research or events rather than present firsthand accounts, so they also qualify as secondary sources. An opinion piece expresses a viewpoint on a topic but does not serve as original evidence itself, further confirming that it falls outside the definition of a primary source.