Archives and Inference: Documentary Evidence in Case Study Research and the Debate over U.S. Entry into World War II

Summary

International relations scholars increasingly rely on primary documents, including those found during archival research. How can they do so most effectively? A review of sources cited in publications on the U.S. entry into World War II underscores the need for scholars working with primary documents to create systematic research, describe and contextualize documents cited, and explain document selection.