The research files consist of photocopies of research material, notes, correspondence, photographs, transcripts of interviews, proofs, and publications related to Carl Vinson. The research material is comprised of both primary and secondary research conducted by James Cook in preparation for writing Carl Vinson: Patriarch of the Armed Forces and documentation of its subsequent publication. The majority of this series consists of photocopies of government publications and newspaper articles; there are also transcripts from original interviews with Sam Nunn, Ed Vinson, Louis and Neta Stockstill, Carl Sanders, Tillman Snead, and others, conducted by Cook.