Help with History Dissertations March 2004

Help with History Dissrtations Most of the information in the booklet and on the corresponding Web pages was prepared by Beth Rainey and has been updated by staff in the Main Library and in the Archives and Special Collections Department at Palace Green

Help with History Dissertations Primary sources Secondary sources Reference sources Bibliographical control of the material Dissertation work in Durham A few tips

Primary Sources I Original manuscripts –often unique and in one place Facsimile –image: printed, microfilm, electronic (Web) Transcript –printed, microfilm, electronic (Web) –may be accompanied by editorial material Translations

Primary Sources II Contemporary printed material –books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers Published calendars of manuscripts –may include extensive transcripts Oral history, films, photographs

Secondary Sources Books about the topic Journal articles Conference papers Generally the author’s interpretation of facts

Reference Sources Records of facts Less likely to be an individual’s view Biographical sources Directories, membership lists Dates, chronologies, time-lines Election results Place names

Bibliographical Control Records what exists, in what format and where For printed material usually at the item level For archives and manuscripts may be at the collection level Printed or electronic Can be manuscript itself –card index, handlist

Guides to Archives General –Foster/Sheppard By collection By subject

Bibliographical Control - Books British Museum/British Library Bibliotheque Nationale Library of Congress/NUC WorldCat RLG Union Catalog National bibliographies

Bibliographical Control - Journals Electronic databases –Web of Science, IBSS, ArticleFirst, ingenta, Zetoc –RHS bibliography Printed journal indexes –IBSS –Revue d’histoire ecclesiastique Printed bibliographies

Electronic Databases Usually only recent years Selected journals Special/local interest titles not covered Geographical and historical parameters can be difficult to formulate Names may not be treated consistently

Printed Bibliographies Comprehensive coverage of limited field Often painstakingly compiled Likely to include journal articles and books May include primary sources Will cover older material Hierarchical presentation/indexes may give multi-faceted approach

Finding Journal Articles Guides to abbreviations OPAC Electronic journals –Jstor COPAC Union lists

Bibliographical Control -Web Search engines Gateways –General –Specific –PINAKES Links to collections and documents

Dissertation Work in Durham Wide range of original primary sources Proximity of other local collections Good collection of published transcripts and editions (mainly at Stockton Road) Good collection of standard secondary sources Access to free material on the Web Fairly good access to restricted electronic material

Primary Sources - Medieval Level 3 Dissertations –Collections in translation –Individual texts –Records –Calendars –Internet sources

Primary Sources - Medieval Postgraduate Research –Durham Priory manuscripts on microfilm complementing manuscript codices in Dean & Chapter Library –Durham Palatinate microfilms of some Durham manuscript material in P.R.O. and elsewhere

Primary Sources:Early Modern I Over 60,000 pre-1850 printed books, richest for 16th and 17th centuries Early English Books Online Selected microfilms of other printed books, Complete microfilm edition of Thomason tracts,

Primary Sources:Early Modern II Microfilm sets of state and personal papers from other collections Mickleton & Spearman manuscripts Cosin letter books Diocesan records Howard of Naworth papers

Primary Sources:18th-19th centuries Sets of microfilms of Cabinet and political papers held in the P.R.O. Earl Grey papers Papers of local families Thorp correspondence Diocesan records Local newspapers

Primary Sources:19th-20th centuries Imperial history Sets of microfilms of Cabinet papers Papers of local families Diocesan records

Primary Sources:Imperial History Sudan Archive –Supplemented by extensive collection of secondary sources MacDonald Papers Baring Papers

Primary Sources:Local History Diocesan records Papers of local families Pictures in Print Microfilms of Northern newpapers Local election material Local printing and book trade Collections in other local libraries

Tips I Check access Make appointments Be sure you will be able to read the documents you need –Language –Handwriting –Abbreviations and similar conventions

Tips II Observe normal precautions when working with manuscript material Document your research carefully and accurately Consider using EndNote Library Staff will be happy to provide advice and assistance