hovedkilden

Hovedkilden is a Norwegian term used to designate the central primary source that informs a claim, study, or narrative. The compound noun combines hoved (main, chief) and kilde (source). In Norwegian, the definite form is hovedkilden, while indefinite form is hovedkilde.

In historiography, journalism, and research, a hovedkilde refers to the most important document, artifact, or testimony that underpins a particular account. It is distinguished from secondary sources, which interpret or discuss the hovedkilde rather than serving as the primary evidence themselves. The concept parallels the English term primary source, though usage can vary by field.

Examples include a diary that provides direct testimony about a historical event, or official government records that form the core basis for a narrative. In scientific or social research, a central dataset or original experiment report can be treated as a hovedkilde for subsequent analysis, with other materials serving as supporting or corroborating sources.

Identification and evaluation of a hovedkilde rely on assessing authenticity, proximity to events, authorship, and potential bias. Researchers typically corroborate the account with additional sources and acknowledge limitations. The term is common in Norwegian source criticism, archival work, and education, where distinguishing a hovedkilde from related sources is a foundational skill.

See also: primary source, sekundærkilde.