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and encyclopedias are works that have been researched by many different people, using secondary sources. This makes them secondary sources also.
The main difference between primary and secondary sources is that primary sources are written by people that are actually present at the event where secondary sources are written by someone that might be studying that event and gives there own outlook on the event. A primary source is not necessarily more accurate or authoritative than a secondary source. A secondary source often gives multiple views and well researched information. So many views tend to clash and it makes finding witch one is the most accurate very difficult. A primary source might have been written by someone at the event, but it is only one point of view, and it may or may not be accurate or truthful and sometimes a primary source might not even be complete. A primary source can be very biased. A slave owner writing about plantation life can be very one-sided because that slave owner might not write about slave treatment, and could leave out details at his own discretion. That same slave owner could also lie and say that he treated his slaves very fairly. Without secondary sources the slave owner's point of view could not be made valid or false. Secondary sources are often well researched because the person writing that article is relying on his or her accuracy to keep up their reputation. Some people will not think very highly of research that is based solely on secondary source. This shows that no original research has been done. The distinctions between primary and secondary sources are fairly clear cut. However there are times when the difference between the two can be very cloudy. In one instance an article or document can be a primary source, but in another instance that same document or article can be a secondary source. Time decides whether it is primary or secondary. A recent article in a magazine or newspaper is usually not a primary source, but a magazine or newspaper article from the 1940's may be a primary source for World War II research.

When it comes to research both primary and secondary resources are very important. Using both shows that the person doing the research was very thorough in finding information for his or her topic of research.

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