Navigating academic research: student success with primary sources

How students approach primary sources in their research can transform their learning outcomes and research engagement. This blog features conversations with Dr Rebecca Crites from Warwick University and AM's Felix Barnes on the CHOICE Authority File podcast. 

Defining primary source literacy

To gain a deeper understanding of historical events, students engage with a variety of materials, including primary sources. These original documents and objects serve as direct, uninterpreted research subject records. Having an understanding of primary source literacy can then be used to locate, interpret, evaluate and analyse these materials. This covers a vast spectrum, calling upon various forms of literacy such as informational, statistical, visual, aural, and tactile.

Dr Crites emphasises the broad range of primary sources that can be utilised in academic research, which could be as diverse as government reports, buildings, photographs, and social media posts. She notes that irrespective of the age of the source - whether it's 100 years old or just a few months old - the interpretation will have its own unique challenges associated with it.

Teaching primary source literacy

Teaching primary source literacy requires providing students with hands-on opportunities to evaluate and interpret these vital materials critically. It lays the foundation for encouraging critical thinking and scholarly debate, enhancing student research. To do this requires access to archives, be it physical or digital. However, having digital primary source archives and collections allows for equitable access and broad interdisciplinary usage.

According to Dr Crites, students should be guided to consider the historical context in which the source was created, the purpose behind its creation, and how it might have been received or utilised subsequently. It’s crucial for students not just to question the use of a source, but also to consider the historical questions that the source may help answer.

Supporting students with digital platforms

As Felix Barnes explains, AM aims to aid students in their primary source literacy journey by breaking down barriers and providing learning tools for research journeys. While AM Primary collections provide access to a range of primary sources from a variety of archives, AM Research Skills is aimed at helping students engage with primary sources more effectively, encouraging them to critically evaluate and interpret a source for themselves.

While digital repositories and collections help students develop their source literacy, it's equally important for educators to guide their students' interpretation of unusual or difficult material. Using teaching tools, the goal should be to give students more agency over their research skills as they gain confidence.

In conclusion, balancing guided interpretation and independent exploration is key to improving primary source literacy. The blend of teaching instruction, exemplified by Dr Crites, along with the capabilities of learning tools like AM Research Skills, empowers students to improve their academic research. This approach leads to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of their studies, enhancing their educational experience.