Works that were written contemporaneously with an event can be important primary sources. These are often accounts of events by participants or observers. However, contemporaneous writings that are not directly about the event being researched may be important primary sources of information about the environment in which the event occurred.

Works that were written contemporaneously with an event can be important primary sources. These are often accounts of events by participants or observers. However, contemporaneous writings that are not directly about the event being researched may be important primary sources of information about the environment in which the event occurred. .

Works that were written contemporaneously with an event can be important primary sources. These are often accounts of events by participants or observers. However, contemporaneous writings that are not directly about the event being researched may be important primary sources of information about the environment in which the event occurred. .

Any work in which people reveal their knowledge or thoughts about events they participated in or observed can be a valuable source of primary information about individuals, events, and places. Remember that the author has a limited perspective and may have a personal interest in portraying events from a particular slant.

These are personal accounts based on personal experience that are useful for the insight they provide into people's thoughts and experiences. Because they are frequently written years after the events that they describe, it is important to consider the possibility of faulty or creative memories.

Government and international governing bodies around the world produce vast amounts of information. Examples include U.S. Government documents, British Government documents and United Nations documents. The U.S. Government produces a wide range of documents, from highly technical reports about the climate to reports about the political activities of Marilyn Monroe. Many of them can be used as primary sources of information.

Artistic representations of all kinds can reveal information about popular culture, the things that are represented and the environment in which the representation was created.

Artistic representations of all kinds can reveal information about popular culture, the things that are represented and the environment in which the representation was created.

Artistic representations of all kinds can reveal information about popular culture, the things that are represented and the environment in which the representation was created.

Material culture can reveal a great deal about the society in which they were used.

Internal records of organizations, memos, committee reports, minutes, and correspondence are useful for the information they provide about the organization itself; external records, certificates, licenses, permits and contracts are also useful for the information they provide about individuals and events outside of the organization. Manuscripts are written documents that have not been printed. They often include drafts of later writings, speeches or publications and notes. They are primary resources that may include any sort of information.

Surveys and polls are sources of vast amounts of information about the activities, beliefs, goals, and perceptions of the group being studied. The empirical results are primary sources of information about the group.