What primary method is the most fruitful to use in the study of history?

Question: What primary method is the most fruitful to use in the study of history!?

In terms of studying history a vast array of primary tools are available to the historian!. I am currently engaged in an important modern study and was wondering what people think about this element of studying history!. Recently I have seen the advantages of oral history but what does everybody else feel!?

Which are the best and why!? Oral history!? State Papers!? Mass Observation!? Diaries and written sources!? And the list goes on!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Dude, in my opinion the more the merrier!. The more primary sources you can cram into your paper, the better!. Professors love seeing that you took the time to read and cite primary sources!.

Now for the oral history thing, you have to make sure it's documented!. Obviously the prof is going to laugh at you if you just throw in some stuff cause your grandma told you that's how it was done back in the day!. Not to belittle your grandma or anything, but she's hardly a scholarly source (unless she actually IS a scholarly source!.!.!. ha)!.

Point: use whatever you have that best supports your thesis!. If it is diaries and published works from the time you are studying, awesome!Www@QuestionHome@Com