Firsthand

Firsthand is an adjective describing information, experiences, or observations that come from direct personal experience rather than from another person's report. It is commonly used to indicate immediacy, credibility, or proximity to the event or subject.

Originating from the phrase “first hand,” the term is now usually written as a single word. It contrasts with secondhand information, which is relayed through other people or sources, and with indirect or mediated accounts.

Applications of firsthand knowledge occur across fields. In journalism, a firsthand account is an eyewitness report from someone who witnessed an event. In research, firsthand data are information collected directly by the researcher, such as through interviews, observations, or experiments. In history, diaries, letters, and memoirs provide firsthand perspectives, while later works interpret or analyze those accounts as secondary sources.

Limitations accompany firsthand information. Direct experience can offer rich detail and nuance, but it is also subject to memory biases, selective recall, and the observer’s perspective. Reliability improves with corroboration from additional sources and methods, though even firsthand accounts may be incomplete or misleading if not considered in context. Overall, firsthand reports are valuable for their immediacy and specificity, yet they benefit from critical evaluation and, where possible, triangulation with other evidence.