Good reminders
- The Objective
- Identify your question or questions.
- What will your search strategies look like?
- Break down the objectives into smaller, focused mini-goals.
- Sources you want to Search
- List Record Groups that may help answer your research question.
- List specific sources to search within record groups.
- Locate Repositories holding the sources, are they at the archive or library?
- Search the Source
- Have a research log – Note all results – positive and negative.
- Copy raw information or obtain a copy (certified?) of the original document.
- Record the source citation data (very important to due at time of research!).
- Review and Analyze the Information
- Evaluate the Information (you need to do this).
- Record the findings in notes or a database or excel sheet.
- Determine next Steps (there is always more we can do, plus new sources open up).
- Oh the possibilities
- Repeat the Steps above.
- Don’t forget to also look at those experts in the field that have been able to answer research questions with thoughtful analysis and evidence. They are our guides to being successful.