- Decide what you are looking for. Do you need information on a person, group, time, place, event, or idea?
- Avoid broad or vague topics. For example, if you search for manuscript sources on the "Civil War" you will find over a thousand pertinent collections in the Manuscripts Department.
- Conversely, avoid topics which are too specific or narrow. For example, if you search for manuscript sources on "wedding dresses in the Civil War," you will not find any collections in the Manuscripts Department. However, if you broaden your search to "weddings in the Civil War" you will find a number of relevant collections.
Tips
- Give yourself adequate time to conduct your research. Archival research often takes more time than you might think.
- Be prepared to redefine or refine your topic throughout the process. The content of the manuscripts themselves may suggest alternative directions for research.
- Secondary sources can be effective tools for pointing you to primary sources and also providing you with the necessary background and terminology. This way you can see how other scholars have treated your topic or similar topics.
- Be creative and think about different ways to approach your search.