Primary sources are first-hand, original materials that provide direct evidence or immediate insight into your topic of study. They come straight from the source, without interpretation or analysis by others.
Secondary sources are materials that interpret, analyse, or comment on information originally presented in primary sources. Rather than presenting new, first hand evidence, they build on earlier work through offering summaries, evaluations, or discussions of existing research or data. Secondary sources help you engage with the academic conversation around your subject, and they provide the context for your own research.
These sources are especially useful during the literature review phase of your dissertation, as they help you:
Understand how others have interpreted primary material
Explore different viewpoints and scholarly debates
Identify gaps, trends, or unresolved questions in your field
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