Evaluating Resources
Use this checklist to determine if a source is appropriate:
Authority: Who wrote it? What credentials does s/he have? [PhD, affiliation with university]
Source: Where was it published? How was it selected for publication? [look at submission guidelines for evidence of peer review or other editorial processes]
Currency: When was it published? Has it appeared in other forms with/out revision?
Research: Are other sources cited in a bibliography/reference list? Are foot/endnotes used?
Bias: Is there an objective viewpoint? Is the author making assertions without documentation, or with questionable documentation? [e.g., her/his own work, crackpots]
Welcome!
Welcome to the research guide for Primary Sources. This guide suggests useful resources for research from the Regis Library. Please ask us for help selecting, connecting to, and using our resources. Remote access to subscription resources is available to current students, faculty, and staff with a valid Regis login.
Use the tabs on the left to navigate to various resources and please contact the library if you need help!
What are Primary Sources?
No matter what topic you're researching, there are places that you can go to get started with primary sources. Primary sources are required for research in History and many other disciplines. But what is a primary source?
Primary sources are items that are directly related to a person, event or topic. Many times, these sources are created at or directly around the time of the event, but can also be detailed later in items like letters or diaries.
Some types of primary sources:
- Original documents: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, newspaper articles, autobiographies, official records, pamphlets, meeting notes, photographs
- Creative works: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
- Relics or artifacts: Furniture, clothing, buildings, weapons
- Law: constitutions, statutes, cases, and regulations
Please note, while the format is important, primary sources are often transcribed, digitized, or translated. Despite the change in format, the content is what makes something a primary source.
How to find Primary Sources
Primary sources can include various item types, and as such are often kept in museums, libraries and archives. If you do not know the location of a collection, you can start with an internet search and some of the tips below.
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Combine proper names or keywords with words like diaries, letters, personal papers, collection, correspondence, archives
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Use Google shortcut, site:, to limit to .gov, .edu websites. For example, the search site:.edu MLK AND personal papers will only yield websites that end in a .edu and contain those keywords.
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Use secondary sources to locate and compile primary resources you might want to review
Remember that research is a process and you will likely need to do many searches to gather the items you need.
Research and Instruction Librarian
303.458.4031
1.800.388.2366 x4031
library@regis.edu
Schedule a consultation
Research and Instruction Librarian
Dayton Memorial Library 207
303.964.5474
ameisenheimer@regis.edu