Secondary Sources What historians write…. Definitions Secondary sources are accounts of the past...
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Transcript of Secondary Sources What historians write…. Definitions Secondary sources are accounts of the past...
Definitions Secondary sources are accounts of
the past created by people who did not experience the event/time.
Secondary sources describe, interpret or analyze an historical event or phenomenon.
Secondary source is based on an analysis of primary sources.
What Jane Merritt writes…
BA – Vassar 1981MA – UW 1990PhD – UW 1995
Associate professor of History at Old Dominion Universityin Virginia
What historians write
Dissertations Chapters in books (often times
based on a paper given at a conference)
Books Articles in scholarly, academic
journals Book reviews
Scholarly writings
Identifiable characteristics: Specialized topic
Written by academics for an academic audience
Author’s name, credentials and affiliation listed
Usually includes a literature review
Extensively footnoted
Generally not many graphics
Scholarly/Academic Journals Additional identifiable characteristics:
A periodical with a limited number of issues per year than magazines
Many sponsored by an academic organization
Little advertising other than for books Generally lengthy articles 15-30 pages Generally not available for sale at a
newstand – subscription only Many have names that include the words:
• journal, quarterly, review, bulletin
Peer Review / Refereed
Definition: Blind-reviewed by experts who judge if
the article or book provides an original contribution to the scholarship and merits publication
Examples: American Historical Review Journal of Popular Culture William & Mary Quarterly
Time Cycle
Knowledge Cycle
Develop & Discuss Ideas
Report Research
Publish Research
PopularizeResearch
Generalize &Formalize
Time Cycle
Knowledge Cycle
Develop & Discuss Ideas
Report Research
Publish Research
PopularizeResearch
Generalize &Formalize
Publications Cycle
Email, listservs,letters
Dissertations, conference papers
Scholarly books and journal articles
Magazine articles, popular history books
Encyclopedias, text books
Time Cycle
Knowledge Cycle
Develop & Discuss Ideas
Report Research
Publish Research
PopularizeResearch
Generalize &Formalize
Publications Cycle
Email, listservs,letters
Dissertations, conference papers
Scholarly books and journal articles
Magazine articles, popular history books
Encyclopedias, text books
Access Cycle
Google?
Dissertation Abstracts
UW Libraries Catalog, indexes: AHL, HA
Indexes: Expanded Academic Index, Research Library; UW Libraries Catalog
UW Libraries Catalog, guides to history research
Internal considerations What is the author’s thesis? Does the author situate his/her work in the large
field of scholarship on this topic? What evidence does the author use?
Types of sources Appropriateness of sources to thesis/topic Are the sources appropriately cited
Does the author make his/her case? Is the article/book written well?
External considerations
Who is the author? What else have they written? Are they an expert in their topic? Check databases to see what else
they’ve written Search the web to find out where
they’re working
External considerations
Who is the publisher? Is it reputable? Check the publisher’s website:
• University press?• What other books does it publish?
For journals – is it peer-reviewed:• Publisher website• Directories:
• Serials Directory• Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory
External considerations
How do others view the book/article? Book reviews
• Expanded Academic Index• America History & Life• JSTOR
Is the book/article being used by other scholars?• Arts & Humanities Citation Index (part of
the Web of Science database)
Importance of citations
Maintains the integrity of the work: By acknowledging other’s contributions By enabling the reader to retrace the
research Conversation with the reader