{"id":379,"date":"2017-05-17T13:58:06","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T13:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/sshel\/?page_id=379"},"modified":"2026-04-07T21:48:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:48:54","slug":"hraf","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/sshel\/specialcollections\/hraf\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guide to the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

About HRAF<\/h3>\n

The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) are a specially organized collection of thousands of full-text sources on almost 400 cultures worldwide. HRAF can be useful for anyone looking for background information or specific data on a particular ethnic group, culture, or country, as well as by those investigating subjects like architecture, kinship, political structure, or settlement patterns on a comparative cross-cultural basis. By using these files, you will be able to find information on a great many topics in any of the cultures included.<\/p>\n

The microfiche version of HRAF is available from the History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library<\/a> (HPNL). An online version, eHRAF World Cultures<\/a> and eHRAF Archaelogy<\/a>, is also available to Illinois affiliates. HRAF was originally produced on paper, then on microfiche, and then on CD-ROM. Beginning in 1995, all new installments are available only via eHRAF World Cultures<\/a>. Many older installments, however, are available only\u00a0<\/strong>in print or microfiche, not\u00a0<\/strong>online. For a list of which cultures are covered in what format, see Microfiche vs. Online eHRAF<\/a>. (Note: Roe (2002) notes that a small number of sources in the print version were not reproduced in microfiche due to copyright issues. Thus, the print version contains unique material.)<\/p>\n

For further guidance in using HRAF and eHRAF, you may want to explore HRAF Help & Support<\/a>. eHRAF search examples and methodology, practical guide, webinars and basic guide to cross-cultural research are included. Also, be sure to look at SSHEL’s eHRAF Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cultures Covered<\/a> | Aids for Cross-Culture Study<\/a> | Format of HRAF Files<\/a> | Information on Sources Used in HRAF<\/a> | HRAF & eHRAF Guides<\/a> | Citing HRAF<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Cultures Covered<\/h2>\n

Cultures Covered.<\/a><\/strong>
\nIn the\u00a0eHRAF World Cultures<\/em>\u00a0database the cultures and ethnic groups included are organized by regions (e.g. North America), sub-regions (e.g. Southwest) and subsistence types (e.g. hunter-gatherers). \u00a0Every year 20-30 cultures with approximately 40,000 pages are added to\u00a0eHRAF World Cultures<\/em>. About 25% is new ethnographic material and the remaining material is converted from HRAF\u2019s previous\u00a0microfiche collection<\/a>\u00a0for the cultures added to eHRAF.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Aids for Cross-Cultural Study<\/h2>\n

Index to the Human Relations Area Files<\/h3>\n

The Index to the Human Relations Area Files (on microfiche)<\/a> may be used to find whether there is information in the files on a given OCM topic for a particular cultural group. The 1988 cumulative edition of the index is on microfiche and can be obtained from the Main Stacks.<\/p>\n

eHRAF Subjects<\/h3>\n

An equivalent is available in eHRAF World Cultures<\/a>. Once in eHRAF, click on “Browse SUBJECTS” near the top of the page. Search or browse for the subject of your interest. Then, click on \u201cRelated Documents\u201d under the subject. This will display a list of documents with information about that subject. You can sort the list by author, title, or culture by using the filters beside the column headers.<\/p>\n

Probability Sample<\/h3>\n

A Probability Sample File<\/a>\u00a0was created in order to facilitate cross-cultural studies. This file lists sixty culture files which are fairly complete in their coverage of OCM topics. This file also suggests cultures that can be substituted for the original sixty.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Format of HRAF Files<\/h2>\n

There are three formats in the HRAF files at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library.<\/p>\n

Paper<\/h3>\n

1. Paper (Available by request using the Library Catalog<\/a>): The older format consists of 5″ x 8″ individual paper file pages produced in two slightly different styles. Each OCM category is separated by paper dividers.<\/p>\n

Both the HRAF print and microfiche files (see below) are composed of individual file pages. These file pages are facsimiles of pages from source articles and books. Files are arranged geographically. Within a given culture group, file pages are arranged according to OCM code which are written in the margin of the file pages to indicate relevant information within a file page. The complete works covered in the file are reproduced at the beginning of each file. The top line of each file page contains coded information related to the author, reliability of the data, years during which the field work was conducted, and year of publication. Keys to these codes are listed below:<\/p>\n

Author Identification<\/p>\n