As you conduct your research, ask:
- What questions do I want to answer with my research?
- What type of source (meeting proceedings, photographs, diaries, etc.) could answer this question?
- What kind of people or organizations might produce information that can answer my questions?
When reading the sources you find, consider:
- Who is the author/creator?
- What is the author/creator's purpose?
- Is there an argument or strategy in place?
- Who is the intended audience?
- What assumptions does the author/creator make?
- How does it relate to other information you have gathered (primary or secondary sources)?
Remember:
- Primary sources may be different depending on what you are studying
- A book review in a newspaper is usually a secondary source -- unless you are studying how book reviews display cultural biases
- Thinking about these questions may be more important than finding answers to them!
