Which statement best defines 'degrees of separation' in terms of primary sources?

The statement that best defines "degrees of separation" in terms of primary sources is the number of steps removed from the original creator. This concept specifically addresses how far removed a document, account, or piece of data is from its original source. For example, if a primary source is a diary written by an individual, any later accounts or analyses based on that diary would be considered to have degrees of separation from the original creator because they are interpretations or presentations of the original work. Understanding degrees of separation helps in assessing the authenticity and reliability of information, particularly in research and historical analysis, where the proximity to the original source often affects the credibility and context of the information being presented.