History Subject Guide — Getting Started

This guide is designed to help students conduct historical research.  After reading this guide, students will be able to:

• Describe the difference between primary and secondary sources
• Identify appropriate databases for their topics
• Construct searches that are specific and relevant to their topics
• Critique websites for quality and correctness of information
• Construct citations in Chicago style

What is the difference between primary and secondary sources in historical research?

Primary

• Original, first-hand account
• Created during the event being discussed
• Examples include diaries, newspaper articles, government documents

Secondary

• Do not provide first-hand evidence
• Created some time after the event being discussed
• Analyze information gathered from primary sources
• Examples include scholarly articles/books, biographies