For research on the institution of slavery in the United States:
Primary Sources: 13th Amendment, Frederick Douglass’s autobiographies, plantation records, narratives from enslaved people
Secondary Sources: scholarly articles analyzing enslaved people’s experiences, historical analyses of the economic impact of slavery, theoretical works examining the institution’s social effects
Discipline-specific source use varies significantly across academic fields: history relies heavily on primary sources like historical documents and artifacts, while literature studies use original texts as primary sources and literary criticism as secondary. In the sciences, published research papers and raw data are primary sources, with review articles and textbooks serving as secondary sources, whereas social sciences often blend primary sources like surveys and interviews with secondary analyses and theoretical works. Understanding these discipline-specific approaches is crucial for conducting effective research in any field.
Primary Sources: When analyzing Degas’s The Dancing Class, examine its visual elements within 19th century Paris ballet culture, consider the artist’s intended audience and purpose, and evaluate his portrayal of class and gender. Form your own conclusions based on the work’s composition, technique, and social context. For a scientific research paper, examine the methodology, raw data presentation, and results interpretation. Consider the study’s limitations and its direct contribution to field knowledge.
Secondary Sources: When studying scholarly interpretations of Degas’s work, compare how different authors understand the painting, what evidence they use, and how their interpretations have evolved over time. Consider how these varied perspectives enhance our understanding of the artwork. For scientific literature reviews, examine how authors synthesize multiple studies, their inclusion criteria, and their conclusions. Compare different reviews to identify field-wide patterns, consensus findings, and areas of ongoing debate.