History Mystery: Research Guide
PRIMARY SOURCES
Historical research involves looking at original materials (called primary sources) to check facts and ideas before they are used in books, articles, or other research (secondary sources).
A primary source is something that comes directly from an event, person, or topic you’re studying—like a diary, a photo, or a newspaper article from that time. But sometimes, primary sources can be tricky to understand on their own.
You can use primary sources to:
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Find evidence that supports or challenges different opinions.
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Create your own explanation or viewpoint.
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Search for more primary sources to prove or disprove your idea.
When you share your findings, you’re creating a secondary source that can help others with their research!
A commonly asked question is:
Can I use a digital copy online or published in a book as a primary source?
Answer:
Yes, primary sources are characterised by their content, regardless of whether they are available in their original format, in microform, in digital format, or as a facsimile in a published document.
WORKING WITH PHOTOGRAPHS
WHERE TO LOOK
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
GENERAL INFORMATION
When you begin gathering your data, it is always good to start with our encylopedia subscriptions. Unlike Wikipedia you can actually use them as References.
A national archive typically holds a wide variety of government documents including: official letters, reports, meeting minutes, census records, military service records, immigration papers, maps, plans, photographs, audio recordings, video footage, and digital records, essentially capturing the key events and decisions that shaped a nation's history across various formats.
BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY
Don't forget to look for books using our Library catalog [Oliver]. Click on the image below to open it.
National and State Libraries are a rich source of primary source materials, more and more of which are being available online.
For example, Trove provides dedicated search options for Australian materials such as:
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Pictures, photos, objects
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Diaries, letters, archives
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Government Gazettes
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and much more
eMAGAZINES IN SORA
Don't forget to use Sora Nat Geo History magazines. Click Select another issue to find other topics.
AI ACCEPTABLE USE
Need help finding primary sources?
Perplexity AI can be like a super-fast detective! It searches the Internet for old letters, diaries, and other clues from the past. It can help you find primary sources way quicker than just using regular search engines. Just remember, always double-check that what you find is real and reliable. Find the source and use evaluation tools below.
EVALUATING SOURCES
Click on the image to find out more.
EXEMPLARS
REFERENCING
Select from a list of resource types to generate your APA reference list
Online Newspaper use Periodical Article - Website
ClickView use Audio Visual Material /Digital Library
JSTOR use Periodical Article Database / Magazine or journal article
REFERENCES
University of Western Australia Library. (n.d.). Primary sources. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://guides.library.uwa.edu.au/historical_research/primary#s-lg-box-wrapper-21068670
Morris, K. (2019). How to evaluate websites [Illustration]. How To Evaluate Websites: A Guide For Teachers And Students. https://www.kathleenamorris.com/2018/11/20/evaluate-websites/