Advanced Research Methodologies

In the humanities, the strength of your argument depends on your provenance. Primary sources are the 'raw' materials of history or literature—original documents, artifacts, or direct recordings of events (e.g., a 1920s diary or raw census data). Secondary sources are the 'layers' added later; they analyze, interpret, or summarize primary data (e.g., a 2023 biography or a literary critique). Think of it as a mathematical relationship: if $P$ is the raw event and $S$ is the analysis, then $S = f(P)$. Without $P$, $S$ has no foundation. When researching, you must prioritize $P$ to form original insights rather than simply echoing $S$.

While quantitative research focuses on 'how many' ($n$), qualitative research explores 'why' and 'how.' To capture this, researchers use semi-structured interviews or open-ended surveys. The goal is to avoid leading questions—questions that nudge the participant toward a specific answer. Instead of asking, 'How bad was the experience?', ask, 'Could you describe your experience?' This preserves the ecological validity of the data. In a survey of $n$ participants, your qualitative goal is to reach thematic saturation, where new interviews no longer yield new insights.

Digital databases like JSTOR or Project MUSE are powerful, but they are not neutral. Algorithmic bias can prioritize certain Western-centric or high-citation papers, burying marginalized perspectives. To evaluate a source, apply the CRAAP Test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Furthermore, consider the gatekeeping of the archive. Who decided which documents were worth digitizing? If a database only contains records from one perspective, your research will inherit that $bias$. Always cross-reference digital findings with physical archives or diverse databases to ensure a holistic view.