How to File Your Data in Historical Research
Historical Research Series
A person can be an expert Historical Researcher, but if he/she can’t find the data at a moment’s notice then the research is not worth a dime. Without a good filing system the information is as good as lost.
Writers who are researching their novels need a good filing system, but not necessarily a complicated or an expensive one.
You may feel comfortable with a 5-drawer filing cabinet, different files in the PC or a shoebox. It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as it works for you. And by “works for you” I mean you can find everything right away.
Here is basic filing system which you may use as is, or adapt.
Let’s imagine I am a writer doing research on the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. Go to “The Bourinqueneers” website to see examples. This website has all the different types of material a historical researcher would run into: articles, films, official reports, lists, names, history, links, contacts, etc.
[http://www.valerosos.com 65th Infantry Regiment U.S. Army]
EditSteps
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1PC: Set up different folders for on-line reports, related in-coming e-mails, pictures, diaries, etc. Keep photos, e-mails, and reports in separate folders.Ad -
2Flash drive or CD: for big files, pictures. Use them for anything which is not a hard copy, and which would take up too much space on the PC. Again keep different types of sources in separate folders. -
3Use DVD's to save on-line documentary films. -
4Buy separators or make your own. -
5Use binders. Use as many separators as you need, and/or file different types of sources in different binders. Label them well. -
6Keep an address book/index file with contact names, telephones, e-mail addresses, website addresses. -
7Buy a couple of manila envelopes for bulky items which can neither be stored in a binder or a PC file. -
8Eliminate loose sheets and scraps of paper. -
9Use a diary/calendar book to record appointments, dates, names. -
10Evaluate every book, article, exhibit, conference, website you read, attend, or visit. -
11Keep evaluation sheets separate from the data according to type and in alphabetic order.Ad
We could really use your help!
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EditTips
- Start filing correctly from day one of your research.
Article Info
Categories: Better Writing | Research and Review
Recent edits by: Mr handsome, Lillian May, Jonathan E.
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,076 times.
