I love the hunt. I love finding the clues and chasing them down. I love the thrill of finding the answer. Research logs and report writing, on the other hand, are not so much fun, but an essential part of successful research. You need the log to know the sources searched. The report sums up your search. Often, it’s in the writing of the report that the you find the answer your are seeking.
I really don’t like the research log that looks like a table or a form you fill in with tiny places to enter in the date, repository, date, source citation, and findings. This form may be adequate when you don’t find anything and can put a zero in the findings column, but some findings take several pages to record, too many to put in the little spot for it.
I know. You might say, that spot is just for a code or reference number to lead you to the actual document. True, but I still like to be able to see my notes all on the same page.
I am also not a big fan of making more work or doing something over that doesn’t need to be done over, especially when it comes to writing a research report. I’m all about streamlining the process.
For those of you who love the hunt but find the logs and report writing not so much fun, I have a solution. [I have lots of solutions, but they are not the only solutions. It’s just one that works for me.]
So, here’s my solution:
My “Research Log” becomes my “Research Report.”
Before I go to a repository, I open a file on my laptop for that locality. I start a new Word document that may look like a research log, but it’s not in a table with little boxes. I record all the records I plan to search, with the date, the repository, and as much of the source citation as I can determine without looking at the source. I add the call number.
When I get to the archives or library, I pull up my plan on my laptop and begin with the first entry. When I find the source, I refine my source citation. I check the index for any extended family, neighbors, friends, and search them as well. While I am searching the source, I take my notes right there under the citation. I can also include the condition of the record, if pages were missing, torn, or faded.
If I want to capture the image, I either scan it onto my flash drive or shoot a digital photo with my camera. In either case, I can record in my report the image number or name of the file to which it applies. I don’t normally insert the digital images into the text of my report but I do reference the document number. Back at the office, I add my sources to the images, then attach them at the end of the report. Some people may provide the link to the image within the text, and that works. I just don’t like to have the distraction of the image right in the report.
Sometimes along the way, I may stumble upon a document I hadn’t planned on searching that appears to be pertinent to my search. Not to worry. I can insert this source and the notes right in my report.
When I have examined and recorded all the sources I planned to search, I recheck the library’s catalog for any other sources I may have missed and, if needed, add them to my report.
At the end of the day, I can recap the findings and make suggestions for further research, review all my notes, run the spell checker, attach the images at the end, and the report is DONE. No sweating for the next couple of hours to write the report.
What do you do with research logs and how do you write your reports?
Do you have a facebook page for your blog? – http://www.netsimpler.com
Thanks for asking! I do have a facebook page for my blog. It’s the Susans Genealogy Blog page. I think you can get there if you just search for the name of it. If you have trouble finding it, let me know. I also have a Twitter page. If you hit the “Like” button, I think you can follow the blog that way as well.
Note: My Facebook page has been changed to Brick Wall Genealogist.
Net Simpler: Thank you for your kindness. Also, I do have a facebook page for my blog. It’s the Susans Genealogy Blog page. You can also follow me on Twitter by pushing the “Like” button at the Susans Genealogy Blog twitter page. Thanks for asking!
This is a bit dated, but I’ve just stumbled upon your blog and am finding it helpful as I try to establish my own workflow and systems. I like your idea for a research log that isn’t a log and I’ve done very similar. However I find that I don’t take notes well on my laptop – I tend to process/remember stuff better if I write it down by hand. Do you think there is any risk in adding a number to the typed record/search item, then use that same number in a regular notebook as I hand write the notes? One risk I guess is that I would never go back and type my notes/extracts into the report. I could print the shell and add my handwritten notes there – but that still means retyping later. Hmmm….good stuff to ponder.
Donna: Great question! There’s no one perfect way that fits everyone across the board. Every time notes are transcribed there’s a chance of copy error. The ideal is to process the document while viewing it. That would involve capturing the image digitally, adding citation elements, transcribing it, etc. A document number is assigned to the notation in the research log to enable retrieving a copy of the document when needed. Individual pieces of paper may get misfiled or lost. Maybe an option would be to use a notebook for your project. Make a page for each “log” entry that shows the citation, repository, etc., then add your notes and document number. There is value in transcribing the document because you are “processing” every word and relationship as you do so. If you used one page for each source in your notebook, then the transcription could be placed behind your page with the source and notes. Again, choose what works for you but fits within elements of good research standards.