گردآوری اطلاعات در پژوهش های تاریخی

Background: Historical research is a method of knowledge acquisition. Knowledge of the past helps to inform research design that includes explanatory background necessary to establish on understanding of the phenomena under study. The aim of this paper is illustration the primary and secondary sources in historical research.
Materials and methods: This article is a review. The information has been developed by searching in library and the internet resources.

Results: Using historical research methods to study nursing and medicine practice، education and administration allows us to understand relationships and to view the world from a broader perspective. Selecting historical research design as the research method of choice requires that researchers understand what history is; possess an understanding of various social، political، and economic factors that affect events، ideas، and people; have interest in the subject; and be creative in their approaches. In historical research as well as other research is needed to collect data but، the researcher should ensure that the accuracy and originality of the data. The researcher can obtain data from primary sources such as first reports of the experience of the individual، organization or event، personal letters، personal notes and diaries or from secondary sources such as newspapers، journal articles and books related to the time the study. 

Conclusion: When selecting sources، the genuineness and authenticity of those sources becomes an important issue. In historical research، researcher must obtain primary or secondary sources based on research subject. He should be ensure the accuracy of resources.