Which term describes sources that were created during the time under study and by participants or witnesses?

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Primary sources are created during the time under study by participants or witnesses, providing first-hand evidence about events, people, or conditions. This immediacy gives a direct glimpse into what happened from the perspective of those who experienced it. Examples include diaries or letters from the period, original documents, photographs taken at the time, official records, and interviews conducted at or near the event.

In contrast, secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources after the fact, such as scholarly articles that discuss a historical event using those original materials. Tertiary sources summarize or compile information from secondary sources, like encyclopedias or textbooks. A synthetic source isn’t typically used in this context.

So the description fits because these sources are produced during the event and by those who witnessed or participated in it.