The Information-Literate Historian: A Guide to Research for History Students

by Jenny L. Presnell

In the past, historians could rely on their basic understanding of bibliographic tools to do effective research, as resources were primarily available in print, on microform, or at a library. Today, the information explosion resulting from access to the Internet has complicated traditional research methods by heightening expectations and raising new questions about retrieving, using, and presenting information.
The Information-Literate Historian is the only book specifically designed to teach today's history student how to most successfully select and use sources--primary, secondary, and electronic--to carry out and present their research. The book
* questions to ask before, during, and after the research process, as well as questions to ask about sources and their authors
* search strategies that can be used in both electronic and print indexes
* the various types of sources that are appropriate for specific research questions
* how to find and use books, journals, and primary sources quickly and efficiently, and how to select the best ones for a particular topic
* the ways in which historians practice their craft and the nature of historical discourse and narrative
* methods for finding, using, and evaluating such media as images, speeches, and maps
* guidelines for presenting historical research in different formats, including papers, oral presentations, and websites
Written by a college librarian, The Information-Literate Historian is an indispensable reference for historians, students, and other readers doing history research.

Genres: History, Reference, Nonfiction, Read For School, Textbooks, Research, World History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a modern book about history and information literacy. As an historian by training, I have been increasingly concerned that history methods and theories are being decentred and erased through the domination of the hard sciences in public discussions of knowledge, discovery and innovation. Therefore, I was hoping that this would be a revisionist monograph that would affirm the singularity and specificity of historical research.

I was disappointed. For a book published in 2013, it felt dated. It probably has value for North American students in a capstone course, or British students completing their third year dissertation. But that is the only level where this book has value.

Most disappointing is the attention to digitization. Considering the title, I thought this would be a post-web 2 discussion of historical sources. Instead, the discussion of primary sources went so far as the "archive of vintage radio broadcasts." Chapter Seven was titled - worryingly "History and the Internet." This chapter could have been written in the late 1990s, with no mention of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. All these applications have incredible value for historians, but require attendant information literacy skills.

Chapter nine moved "Beyond the written word," but not beyond high culture. So many of the biases from 19th and 20th century history and historiography remain that popular culture is still - to poach a cheeky phrase - the undiscovered country.

History is so important. Writing it well - with rigour, clarity and punch - is crucial, particularly in conservative times. Yet with so many sources available to re-write the dominant version of history, we find in this book conventional strategies to evaluate conventional evidence. The quality of information literacy theories - particularly when working with digital sources - remains invisible in this monograph.

[Kathleen Guler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice general guide on how to approach historical research. It was written for undergrad students, so the information is a little thin sometimes, but it is a quick read and covers the important issues. As a graduate student I found the book sort of a rehash of other text books. It does have a lot of great lists of databases to search. I would assume that in the future this information will need to be updated as anything regarding the internet will have rapidly changed, been added to or disappeared.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful tool for anyone doing historical research and writing. Discusses primary and secondary sources, taking notes, and gives many resources to expand searches. A discussion about online searches is also presented. I'm trying to get in a grad school history program and this book looks like it will be helpful if accepted.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book during my undergraduate degree?! It would have been so helpful in finding additional resources for my paper. Theis book is chalk full of indexes and websites I have never heard of that I will be using from now on. I highly recommend this to anyone who is studying history, particularly at the undergraduate level as this resources will take your research skills to the next level!

[Maielle Merriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An effective, straightforward guide to historical research, with excellent organization and numerous resources. The information on searching techniques for library catalogues and indexes was especially helpful. Much material will be familiar to most readers, but this does not eclipse the convenience of having all in one place.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a required book in my Historical Research Methods course, and I have to say that I enjoyed this little guide! It gives tons of links and books to check out, and it's not written in a preachy tone like so many other books on how to write essays.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't quite realize this text was meant for undergraduate students. I was searching for a rigorous guide geared toward graduate students and scholars, but this text does what it says. Recommend for any undergrads.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 3 out of 5]

|Read for Historiography and the Historical Profession|

[Krista Borrero]

I’ve heard it all before....required reading for my Applied Research Methods class.

[Brittney Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for school, I really appreciated the mechanics of history, it feels like a perfect guide for novices

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an excellently written and researched text, accessible to students from all disciplines. I actually enjoyed reading this for my class.

[Tommy /|\ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presnell's book is quite informative - particularly on the usage and critique of source materials. I can definitely see a need for a review of her methods by Tea Party whackos with some of the materials that have been posted as "research" concerning their opposition. Regardless, Presnell's methodologies and research hints/tips are quite well done. As has been suggested by other reviewers, this book is geared towards the undergraduate student, but is an excellent resource for the graduate student as well. While the focus is towards the History student, the material can be utilized as general knowledge for students of other disciplines as well.

[Adelheid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good for undergraduate students and teachers of such. However, when it is assigned to help write a thesis, which two of my professors have done, something more in depth is needed. This does not fill the requirements of those who have written research papers and must now take the next step. This seems to repeat to much the advice and council of others before them, such as Turabian. It fails to build upon what has come before and go beyond them.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is awesome. Basic guide to core information literacy skills from the perspective of a history student/instructor. I've ordered this for the library. This has already helped me 'sell' library instruction to a history professor.

I would be very interested in a follow-up. Maybe something a little more advanced? Maybe for graduate students?

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend highly for both history students and history faculty -- excellent blending of using traditional and electronic sources, good chapter on statistics/data for historians, good discussion of various ways of presenting research beyond the traditional research paper. Also liked the inclusion of a real research paper, annotated to show its strengths.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer to this book when preparing for my History instruction sessions. It may not be the most elegantly written book, but it's certainly useful!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. It provides great resources for anyone writing a history paper. It was very accessible too (even if it was a bit dry).

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I boring read, but it does have good and helpful info.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful introduction to historical research.

[Nicole Evelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jam packed with useful information. i borrowed this from the library but will be buying as a reference.

[Jenny]

Trying to teach myself history for impending liaison duties. I read the 2007 edition (because it was currently available at my library and also I'd heard that faculty recommend it as not-so-different from the updated version). It was wildly outdated in a lot of ways - especially the bits on how to do web research or present your findings online. However, the parts that are about how to think about research held up and I learned a lot about historical research as well as possible teaching ideas. Interested to take a look at the updated version to see how they fix it up.