Ask AI: How do primary and secondary sources enable understanding of history. Please including APA 7th referencing style

Primary and secondary sources contribute significantly to the understanding of history, each offering distinct and valuable insights. Primary sources, which include documents, artifacts, or recordings from the time being studied, provide firsthand accounts hence offering direct evidence about the historical event under investigation (Yale University Library, 2021). They are considered invaluable as they provide the raw data that historians interpret, thus presenting an unfiltered glimpse into the past. For instance, a record of a constitution passed in a specific era gives a direct insight into the legislation and societal norms of the era. Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or critique primary sources (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2021). They may include textbooks, scholarly articles, and histories written about a certain period. Secondary sources provide a comprehensive analysis of primary sources, breaking down complex historical occurrences into digestible interpretations. For example, a scholarly article exploring the socioeconomic impacts of a passed constitution employs interpretation and analysis to provide deeper insight into the historical context. Together, primary and secondary sources complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, promoting a comprehensive understanding of history. Primary sources provide a basis for study and authenticity, while secondary sources enrich this raw information with analysis, context, and critique. Therefore, historians need to utilize both sources to achieve an in-depth, accurate understanding of the past. References: Yale University Library. (2021). Primary Sources at Yale. https://web.library.yale.edu/ University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries. (2021). Distinguishing between Primary and Secondary Sources. https://www.library.unlv.edu/