Final answer:
True, most databases allow you to locate primary sources by filtering the search results by format type or date, providing direct and relevant materials for your research.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that in most databases, you can locate primary sources by limiting your search based on format type or by date. Primary sources are immediate, firsthand accounts related to a topic, such as diaries, interviews, and original research. To identify them in a database, you can use filters that allow you to search by specific document types or to select a particular time frame relevant to your research subject. Additionally, the rigorous selection of filters can help pinpoint the most relevant sources by excluding those that are interpretive or too far removed in time from the event in question, thereby ensuring that the material is a direct account rather than a secondary source.
Using the date filter is especially important when researching topics that require an understanding of the time period in which the sources were created. By limiting to a certain date range, you can focus on documents that were contemporary with the events you're studying, which is crucial for historical research. This technique of filtering by date also assists in understanding the perspective of the time and can help ensure that the information you're basing your research on is not outdated or obsolete for your purposes.