Macdonald-Kelce Library: Introduction to Library Research: Primary Sources and Statistics

Primary Sources

Exhibit from Walt Disney Productions A primary source is an original first-hand source of information created at the time under study. See the Primary Sources research guide for more information.

There are many freely accessible open access digital archives where you can find primary sources. The list below is a sampling and is by no means exhaustive. Check with a librarian to find more that relate to your topic.

Image: Exhibit from Walt Disney Productions, Ltd. v. Pathe Exchange, Inc. and the Van Beuren Corporation (Equity T-87), dated c. 1932. National Archives Identifier: 333398767.

View in National Archives Catalog

Emergence of Advertising in America: 1850-1920
A Duke University digital archival collection illustrating the rise of consumer culture and the birth of a professionalized advertising industry in the United States.
Florida Memory
State Library and Archives of Florida - A digital archive of photographs, manuscripts, audio, and video of Florida history. The Archives is part of the Division of Library and Information Services, one of seven divisions within the Florida Department of State.
The Library of Congress Digital Collections
A collection of manuscripts, books, film, photography, audio recordings, newspapers, maps on American history and culture, and other cultures worldwide.
National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC)
Managed by the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF, UFDC hosts more than 300 outstanding digital collections.

Statistics and Data

For many more resources check the Datasets and Statistics guide.

Backing up a claim with statistical data and empirical evidence lends credibility to your argument. You may cite other scholars substantiated claims to support your own but it still important that you demonstrate the validity of your own claim and the claims of others with evidence.

U.S. Government Sources:

Census Bureau
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Bureau of Justice Statistics
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Department of Education, Labor, Energy, EPA, Agriculture, Transportation
USA.gov (use this for a general search if you are unsure of which agency covers your topic)