Primary sources usually give us a first-hand account or description of an event witnessed. Primary sources are not just for studying the past; they also help us understand and make meaning from current events.
Common examples of primary sources include: photographs; newspapers; audio recordings (e.g., radio broadcasts); video recordings (e.g., newsreels, films, bystanders); diaries and letters; government or legal records; speeches; autobiographies and memoirs; creative works; and more.
Before you start your search for primary sources check out the following resource.
You can adapt the following sample search for your topic and research needs:
| Original search string | Peer-reviewed articles | Books/ebooks |
| sikh* AND canad* | link (limited to English language resources) | link |
Additional search tips:
Digital library of academic journals, ebooks and primary sources. Includes content across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
You can also check the Resources by Religion: Sikhism section for specific types of resources..
We tend to trust websites published by universities, research groups, governments, and non-profits, but it's always important to evaluate your sources. You can then power up your Google searches with these search tips:
