The samples from documentary research highlighted the functional attributes determined by the contexts in which the snippets were accumulated and used by individuals. On the one hand, these attributes endorse archival processing grounded in the principles and procedures of Archival Science 3/29/ · What is an example of archival research? Archival research is a method of collecting data from sources that already exist. An example of archival research would be a psychologist looking at mental institution records from the s to determine the prevalence of The final paper will be broken down into three components: Selection of paper topic. By week four (Friday, February 16th), in a single-spaced page, provide a full description of your paper topic, paying particular attention to the research question you want to investigate. Outline of the paper topic. By week seven (Friday, March 9th), in no less than four double-spaced typed pages, provide an outline of the paper
Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research
Archives exist both to preserve historic materials and to make them available for use. This guide addresses the second purpose by outlining the functions and procedures of archives, and is designed both for first-time archives users and scholars who have archival research paper example conducted research in archives. The content covers:. Repositories and their collecting scopes and practices may differ, but the principles in this guide should assist you in accomplishing your research goals at any archival institution.
Libraries exist to make their collections available to the people they serve. Archives also exist to make their collections available to people, but differ from libraries in both the types of materials they hold, and the way materials are accessed, archival research paper example. Example: Checking out a book from a library causes it to eventually wear out, and then the library buys a new copy of the same book.
Checking out the handwritten diary of a historic figure from an archives would cause the same physical deterioration, but the diary is irreplaceable. Note that there is a great deal of overlap between archives and libraries. An archives may have library as part of its name, or an archives may be a department within a library.
There are many varieties of archives, and the types of materials they collect differ as well. Defining your research topic and knowing what sorts of materials you are looking for will help you determine the appropriate institutions to contact. Here is a brief overview of repository types:.
Examples: The National Archives and Records Administration NARAthe Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the New York Archival research paper example Archives, City of Boston Archives. Examples: The Wisconsin Historical Society, the National Railway Historical Society, archival research paper example, the San Fernando Valley Historical Society. Examples: Special Collections Research Center at the University of Chicago, Archival research paper example Philosophical Society Library.
How do you locate archives that might have materials appropriate for your research? In addition to using online search engines like Google, here are some resources to consult:. Consult bibliographies and works cited sections in books on your topic. Where did the information come from? Contact other experts in the field. Which repositories did they visit for their research?
Look for websites dedicated to your topic. Do they list any archives? Talk to a reference librarian at your local library about accessing the WorldCat database, which includes listings for archival materials stored in libraries all over the world. This site contains listings from thousands of American and British archives requires purchase or subscription. This database contains nearly a million collection descriptions from thousands of libraries, archives, and museums.
This gateway to archival resources from over eight hundred repositories across Canada contains linked archival repository databases for each province. Sponsored by the American Historical Association, this page links to several archives from around the world and provides commentary about the archives from a researcher perspective. NARA oversees the preservation of United States federal government archival research paper example. There are two additional resources that can be accessed through NARA:.
NUCMC provides descriptions of manuscript and archival collections from a wide variety of American repositories. The information produced by NUCMC is shared with the WorldCat database mentioned above.
The next step is determining the extent of materials archival research paper example suit your research needs in an individual archives. Since every repository is different by size, funding, technological advancement, hours, collecting areas, regulations, archival research paper example, etc.
Utilizing the tools listed below will help ensure a thorough evaluation of an archives:. Monitor websites for updates such as new collection descriptions and the addition of digital resources. Catalogs and Databases : Determine whether the archives you are evaluating has a link on its website to catalogs or databases similar to those in a library allowing you to search holdings by subject, keyword, title, author, etc, archival research paper example.
Many catalogs and databases will link you to finding aids see below which will provide more detail about what a specific collection holds. If searching catalogs is new for you, ask a reference librarian at a local library for assistance. Finding Aids : A finding aid sometimes called inventory, collection listing, register, or calendar is a text document providing a description of the contents of a collection, just like a table of contents outlines the contents of a book.
By using a finding aid, a researcher gets an understanding of a collection in its entirety, sees the relationships between its component parts, and locates the portions of a collection pertinent to research, archival research paper example. Finding aids sometimes provide narrative portions describing the background of a collection how and when it was formed, how the archives acquired it, etc.
If the archives you are evaluating provides direct access to finding aids on its website, browse or search the finding aids for content relating to your research. See the Appendix of this guide for a sample finding aid with annotations.
Examples of a variety of finding aids can be viewed through these finding aid consortia websites:. Note that finding aids come in all kinds of formats. Downloading and print options vary by repository, archival research paper example. Some archives may provide digital copies of finding aids upon request. Digital Collections : Many archives digitize materials photographs, meeting minutes, reports, letters, audiovisual recordings, etc.
from their collections and make them available on their websites. Digitization enables the researcher to view materials without visiting the archives in person. Some digital content is full-text searchable, allowing you to enter words pertinent to your research such as names or terms into a search box and then search the document to see whether instances of those words appear. Examine the repository website, catalogs, databases, and finding aids to see whether links to digital collections exist.
However, be aware that digital collections often reflect just a fraction of the total holdings of a repository, archival research paper example. There may be nondigitized materials at the same institution that are also pertinent to your research. Search holdings listings carefully and ask the archival staff for assistance in accessing nondigitized content.
Note that when searching digital collections online it can sometimes be unclear whether the items you are viewing represent a complete collection or are part of a larger collection.
Try to determine the highest collection level for the most complete overview of related items. Archival Staff: One of the most important ways to evaluate the holdings of an archives is archival research paper example an archival professional who oversees the collections. Archival staff can point you toward resources you may have overlooked. Job titles for such staff positions include archivist, archival research paper example, librarian, reference archivist, reference librarian, curator, archival research paper example, and records manager.
After you have examined the catalogs, finding aids, and website of an archives, call or email the repository to confirm your findings and conclusions. If you find specific materials that seem particularly important during your search, write down the titles, call numbers, or other unique methods of identification from those materials and share them with the staff. Inquire whether you should set up an appointment time to visit and view the materials.
I have already viewed the following [finding aids, catalogs, etc, archival research paper example. that you have found. Be as specific as possible, archival research paper example. May I visit your repository next Wednesday afternoon to view these items? In the case of archival research paper example archives that does not list collections on its website or does not have a websitecontacting the staff is the only way to ascertain its holdings.
Inform the staff of your research project and intent, ask them to clarify what materials are held at the repository, and ask how materials are accessed by researchers.
If you are not getting the help you need from one staff member, try another one at the same institution. Once you have identified materials that will aid your research, the question then becomes how to access them. Policies regarding access vary among archives, but here are some questions to ask yourself, or the archival staff, to determine whether you can obtain access to materials without visiting the archives in archival research paper example. Are the materials you want to see available through interlibrary loanmeaning that the archives would send them to a library near you where you could view or borrow them?
Some archives do lend out select materials such as printed materials or microfilmbut rarely loan primary or original documents. Are the materials you want available through libraries other than the repository at which you found them? Especially in the case of published and printed materials, other libraries might own archival research paper example same materials and allow them to be loaned. Will the archives provide scans or photocopies of the materials you wish to consult?
What are the fees for those services? Are there limits on the amount of material that can be requested? Will the archives allow a research assistant to access materials on your behalf?
Some archives may have recommended assistants or research services available to patrons unable to visit the archives in person. If not, hiring someone to help with your research can be a great option for remote access. Consider hiring a local graduate student or ask a friend living near the repository.
Do you have a simple question that can be answered by having the archival staff view the materials on your behalf?
Archivists routinely answer reference questions for researchers, so if the information you need can be retrieved in a short amount of time, there is a good chance they can relay it to you without having you come in person. Whether you are traveling a long distance to visit the archives or visiting a local one, it is always a good idea to plan ahead for your visit.
Here are some arrangements to consider:. Inform the archival staff of the date s that you intend archival research paper example visit and the materials you would like to see. The staff can notify you of any special circumstances where either the facility or the materials are unavailable. Many archives store materials in off-site facilities, typically due to space constraints. If the materials you are requesting are stored off-site, archival research paper example, they may take several hours or days to retrieve.
Alerting the staff to your visit and the materials you want to see may enable you to access those materials upon your arrival instead of having to wait for them. Are there any special closings on the dates you intend to visit? If the hours are too limited to accommodate your schedule, can any alternative arrangements be made? Many repositories lack the staffing and funding required for having extensive hours, but some may offer options to meet researcher needs.
If a repository has weekend and evening hours, professional archival staff may not be present at those times.
Archival Research - in Urdu/Hindi language - Research methodology - by Dear Knowledge
, time: 12:19Conducting Archival Research | Hume Center for Writing and Speaking | Stanford Undergrad
3/29/ · What is an example of archival research? Archival research is a method of collecting data from sources that already exist. An example of archival research would be a psychologist looking at mental institution records from the s to determine the prevalence of The final paper will be broken down into three components: Selection of paper topic. By week four (Friday, February 16th), in a single-spaced page, provide a full description of your paper topic, paying particular attention to the research question you want to investigate. Outline of the paper topic. By week seven (Friday, March 9th), in no less than four double-spaced typed pages, provide an outline of the paper 12/10/ · Archival research is research involving primary sources held in an archives, a Special Collections library, or other repository. Archival sources can be manuscripts, documents, records (including electronic records), objects, sound and audiovisual materials, or other materials
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