Before using primary resources it is a good idea to consult secondary sources on your topic. It is extremely important when using primary sources that you have a good sense of the time period when they were created and a strong knowledge of your topic. For instance, if your topic is the lives of women college students 1901-1910: you will need a basic understanding of world events and cultural trends surrounding and during that time period and a basic understanding of the history of women's education. What was the general make up of the population at the time? In general terms who were the people who went to college at this time (were they predominately rich, middle class or poor)? How were college women viewed and who were the key players in the education of women at that time? What were the issues surrounding the education of women of different races or ethnic backgrounds? Without this background it would be difficult to evaluate the importance of a letter, report or other document since you may not be able to place it in the context of the time period.

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