TAM 4071 & TAM 4072: History of Dress and Adornment: Types of Information

Historical Research often involves these steps

1. Identify a topic or research question
2. Conduct background research on the topic or question
3. Refine or narrow research topic or question based on background research
4. Identify primary and secondary sources
5. Evaluate the sources for relevancy, authenticity, and accuracy. 
6. Analyze sources and form an argument based on information gathered 

It should be noted that the research process is rarely linear. Many of these steps may occur multiple times throughout the research process. This is normal. 

(Berg & Lune, 2012, 311 and https://ecu.au.libguides.com/historical-research-method) 

Information is EVERYWHERE!  But what information do you need to compile a good research paper?  What kind of information do you need to make informed decisions?  Understanding the different types of information sources and their purpose is the first step in this process.  This graphic from Portland Community College illustrates the different types of sources and information that we come across in our daily and academic lives: 

Primary Sources: defined as something created at the time of the event.  Primary sources are usually first-hand accounts of something that has happened.  Think about it this way... if someone from the time period could actually lay their hands on it (newspaper, diary, photograph, etc) then it is probably a primary source. 

Examples of primary source material: 

• Newspaper reports that are reporting at the time of the event ON the event 
• Speeches
• Diaries
• Letters
• Interviews/Oral Histories 
• Visual media like photographs, video, or even audio that are created during the event
• Data, such as raw datasets, census information, etc. *Note: this is the raw information that has not been analyzed yet. 
• Original research
• Texts of laws 

Secondary Sources: defined as sources that describe, report, analyze, and/or quote from original primary sources.  Secondary sources are not created at the time of the event, but rather interpret the event through the use of primary sources.  

Examples of secondary source material:

• Popular and scholarly articles on a topic, event, or even a piece of art/performance 
• Books about a person, topic, or event 
• Data analysis and interpretation (usually used within scholarly articles and books)
• Documentaries 

Where it can get weird...

Sometimes secondary sources can be primary sources and this is where you need to think critically.  

• Example: a high school textbook would most often be considered a secondary source because it is describing a topic and not contributing any original research to the topic.  HOWEVER, if you were going to do research on the history of textbooks in high school curriculums, then this textbook could be used as a primary source.  

Need more help? Here is a link to a video by Imagine Easy Solutions that gives an overview of the differences in type and use for each: 

Primary & Secondary Sources from Imagine Easy Solutions on Vimeo.

Need Help with primary sources or archival materials? LSU Libraries Special Collections has a vast collection on rare books, manuscripts, and other special research materials on a variety of topics. For more information visit their website. 

You can also make an appointment with one of the Special Collections Librarians. Contact them via email to set up an appointment. 

Kelly Larson: klarson@lsu.edu

Alia Kempton: akempton@lsu.edu

Zach Tompkins: ztompkins1@lsu.edu