The case for having research assistants

Could the use of research assistants ever be justified? Consider the case of James McPherson:

I cannot testify for or against the accuracy and fairness of this review.

I do not pretend to have clear, crisp answers.

I cannot remember exactly when I first encountered the term "public history." It does not seem all that many years ago.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that it has become harder for hopeful first-book authors to get published. But more research is needed to determine whether this is in fact the case.

The male cicadas make their unearthly mating call, the females lay their eggs, and then they die. Not much of a life! Where is the inspiration there for a Baccalaureate sermon?

So many cries for help.