Which term describes a source that is a first-hand account of a topic, such as diaries, interviews, or studies?

• A. Secondary Sources
• B. Primary Sources
• C. Credibility
• D. Charts/Graphs

Answer: (B)

Primary sources are original, first-hand records created by people who experienced the event or topic directly. Diaries capture personal accounts, interviews preserve someone’s own words, and studies report original data and methods produced by researchers. These sources provide unmediated evidence, offering a direct view of the topic. In contrast, secondary sources interpret or summarize those original materials—like textbooks or articles that analyze primary studies. Charts or graphs are tools for presenting data, not themselves first-hand accounts, and credibility concerns how trustworthy a source is, which is a separate consideration from the type of source.