There are biographical encyclopedias and dictionaries in the Reference section. Locating diaries, letters, eyewitness accounts, government documents, and other kinds of primary sources requires a variety of research strategies. Talk to a Reference Librarian for further explanation. There are several handouts in the Reference Bibliography Series at the Information Desk to help you find statistical sources. In the online catalog, add the word statistics after the subject heading you are searching.
Style manuals are guides to consistent practice.
Check with your professsor to see whether a particular style is preferred. If so, use that manual. There are a variety of style manuals on Reserve at the Circulation Desk. Actually, this point should appear much earlier in the process and be repeated at almost every step. While the librarians will not choose a topic for you, or determine which aspect of a topic you should explore, they will help you to identify your interest and to select search terms.