Should a Historian Ever Use a Personal Blog Post as a Secondary Source for a Research Paper?

I’m not a historian, but trust me, I’ve been in the same boat. While working on a few of my research articles, I found myself turning to blogs for insights. Yes, alongside academic papers and authoritative sites, I’ve cited information from personal blogs too.

It made me wonder—can a blog post ever truly hold its own as a secondary source? Historians, in particular, often face this dilemma. Blogs are everywhere, offering unique perspectives and interpretations. But do they pass the test of credibility, reliability, and academic rigor?

In this post, we’ll dive into whether personal blogs deserve a place in historical research. You’ll find the pros, cons, and smart ways to decide when a blog can back up your work—and when it’s better left out.

Understanding Secondary Sources in Historical Research

Secondary sources in history provide interpretations, explanations, and analyses of primary sources (such as documents, artifacts, or firsthand accounts). Secondary sources are essential for providing historians with various perspectives on a topic, but they must adhere to certain standards of rigor and credibility. Conventional secondary sources include:

• Academic Books: Peer-reviewed publications by recognized historians or experts.
• Scholarly Articles: Articles published in respected journals, reviewed by academic peers.
• Credible Websites and Encyclopedias: Platforms like Encyclopaedia Britannica or The Oxford History of the United States.

Historically, personal blog posts haven’t fit neatly into this category. However, the rise of online publishing has made blogs an accessible medium, sometimes offering valuable insight. To assess their usefulness, historians should consider several factors, from the credibility of the author to the blog’s content quality.

Benefits of Using Blog Posts as Secondary Sources

While blogs are rarely ideal as primary secondary sources, they can offer unique perspectives or serve as supplemental references, especially if other sources are limited. Here are some potential benefits:

1. Access to Expert Commentary

Some blogs are written by recognized historians, academics, or subject matter experts who use their blogs to provide real-time analysis on historical issues. In this case, a historian’s blog might offer valuable insights or interpretations, though the lack of peer review remains a concern.

Example: The blog Lawfare offers detailed analysis on legal and historical issues, contributed by historians, lawyers, and academics. For a historian studying recent developments in national security history, referencing a post from Lawfare could supplement primary research with expert opinion.

2. Contemporary Interpretations and Context

Blogs can capture current opinions, interpretations, and social sentiments that may not yet be reflected in traditional academic sources. For research on recent historical events or public perceptions, blogs offer a glimpse into contemporary viewpoints and context, which can sometimes add valuable layers of understanding.

Example: A historian writing on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on society might refer to well-respected blogs that document public reactions or policy decisions, which may eventually serve as valuable interpretive sources.

3. Insight into Lesser-Known Events or Local Histories

Some blogs focus on regional or niche historical events not well-documented in mainstream sources. These niche blogs may be helpful for research involving local histories, personal narratives, or underrepresented perspectives. However, a historian must still critically evaluate the blog’s credibility and accuracy.

Example: For research on a lesser-known historical event in a specific region, a local history blog written by a knowledgeable local historian could provide a unique perspective or lead to further primary sources.

Challenges of Using Blog Posts as Secondary Sources

The main limitations of using blog posts as secondary sources stem from concerns about reliability, bias, and scholarly rigor. Here are some of the challenges historians should keep in mind:

1. Lack of Peer Review and Scholarly Rigor

Most personal blogs are not peer-reviewed, meaning they lack the validation process of academic journals. This peer review process is crucial in ensuring that interpretations and analyses meet high scholarly standards. Without it, a blog post may contain unchecked assumptions, factual errors, or subjective interpretations.

2. Potential for Bias and Subjectivity

Blogs are often more informal and opinion-based than traditional secondary sources. A personal blog post may reflect the author’s personal views, which might not be objective or well-supported by evidence. Historians must approach these sources critically, distinguishing between factual information and personal opinion.

Example: A blog post discussing the Vietnam War may contain personal opinions or biases, especially if the author has a specific ideological stance. For academic work, a historian would likely rely on more balanced secondary sources for comprehensive analysis.

3. Inconsistent Citation and Verification Standards

Blog authors may not consistently cite their sources, making it difficult to verify the information presented. Scholarly work relies on transparent sourcing, allowing readers to trace information back to primary sources. The absence of citations or vague references in a blog post should prompt historians to treat such information cautiously.

4. Risk of Misinformation or Outdated Content

Unlike academic publications, which go through rigorous editorial processes, blogs may contain misinformation or outdated content. A historian citing a blog post without verification risks perpetuating inaccuracies in their research.

When to Consider Using a Blog Post in Historical Research

Despite these limitations, there are cases where citing a personal blog post might be appropriate:

1. Supplementary or Contextual Reference

Blogs may serve as supplementary material to enhance context or provide insight into public opinions. For example, a historian might reference a blog to illustrate a public reaction to a major event, like a political decision or social movement.

2. Emerging Historical Topics or Current Events

For recent history, traditional secondary sources may not yet exist. A well-researched blog post by a historian or expert can provide preliminary analysis or commentary on emerging events. It should, however, be complemented by primary sources or more formal analyses as they become available.

3. Documenting Diverse Perspectives

For social or cultural history, blogs can reflect underrepresented voices or personal experiences that are absent in academic literature. A historian might, for instance, use blog posts written by individuals from marginalized communities to illustrate different perspectives on a historical issue.

Example: During research on civil rights movements, historians might reference blogs written by activists or community members to present a broader perspective on public sentiments, especially for events not widely covered in academic sources.

Best Practices for Citing Blog Posts in Historical Research

If you decide to use a blog post as a source, keep the following practices in mind:

1. Evaluate Author Credentials: Verify the author’s expertise. If the blog is by a recognized historian or subject-matter expert, it is more likely to be credible.
2. Cross-Verify Information: Avoid relying on a blog post as your sole source of information. Cross-reference blog content with primary sources or peer-reviewed literature whenever possible.
3. Limit Blog Citations to Supplementary Roles: Use blog posts as supplementary references, not as core secondary sources. They are best for providing context or public sentiment rather than scholarly analysis.
4. Cite Transparently: Follow standard citation practices for blogs to ensure clarity and credibility. Most citation styles, like APA, MLA, and Chicago, have guidelines for citing blog posts correctly.
5. Check for Potential Biases: Critically assess the content for any potential biases, especially if the blog lacks citations. Avoid using sources that may distort or misrepresent historical facts.

Conclusion

While historians typically rely on peer-reviewed sources for secondary research, personal blog posts can occasionally serve a role—especially for recent history, public sentiment, and underrepresented perspectives. However, it is essential to critically assess each blog’s reliability, limit their use to supplementary roles, and always cross-verify information. With careful selection and transparent citation, blog posts can sometimes contribute meaningfully to historical research without compromising scholarly standards.