This History research guide will help support you and offer suggestions for researching in the field of history. There are both broad suggestions and specialized recommendations for specific time periods in the past. Historical research centers on studying elements of the past. Some examples are research focusing on past civilizations, historical groups of people, or human developments. 

FSU's Whittemore Library requires that users who are off-campus authenticate through Canvas.  Canvas accounts are set up through Canvas, not the library, so while we will help as much as possible to get you onto our databases from off-campus, sometimes we may have to refer you back to Canvas or Information Technology Services to get your account set-up properly.  Below we have included a link to the ITS Help Desk.

Circulation Desk (Renewing, ILL, Checkin/Checkout) 508-626-4650

Reference Desk (Database help, Using materials) 508-626-4654

Primary sources are materials that offer original data about a particular time, place or event. Primary source materials are usually created at the time period that is studied.  Primary sources are materials that have not undergone any sort of evalution or interpretation.  Examples of primary sources include:

Primary sources may also include materials that were created by a witness of a time period or event, but at a later date. Examples of these types of primary sources include autobiographies and oral interviews.

Secondary sources are materials that have been created by someone such as a historian or an author. Secondary sources offer an evaluation or opinion on data gathered from a primary source. Examples of secondary source materials include:

• biographies
• newspaper or journal articles written after the event
• the research paper you write

The bibliography of a secondary source may be useful to locate a primary source. For example, if you find a journal article related to your research topic, check the bibliography of that article for primary sources that the author used.