Research methods

[Ashley Regan]

I am a college student who also works in the library. I was wondering how the researchers on the board find their material best? I love to surf the internet but have found it a waster of good research time too. If I am researching a term paper its usually much more productive and richer material if I just use the library at school. This way I stay completely focused on the topic and don't windup in some remote corner reading something way off topic. So my question to the members who have written papers and books here is how do you organize your research activity to find what you need and stay focused on the subject? I've been thinking about writing a paper myself on Titanic (topic: Titanic and the Theatre)so that's why I'm asking.

Thanks for the help!
Ashley Regan

(Message edited by ashley on March 29, 2002)

 

[Dan Cherry]

Hello, Ashley,
though I haven't written any Titanic research papers, I have done much historical research over the years, with one published book and another manuscript in the works.
I have found the internet to be of assistance in my research project, not necessarily for obtaining information, but for finding people who can help in my quest (tho' I agree that mere 'surfing' is not the most efficient use of time).
When I start a research project, I ask myself where can I find primary sources? My first stops are the microfilm stations at the local library, and one would be surprised how much there is at local museum archives, too. Both have turned up good reference sources for me in many of my projects. People are very helpful in providing leads, and for my current project, each person I have spoken with not only help me with my questions, but refer me to another possible resource as well.
I do not doubt that the constant pursuit of viable leads is what helps me stay focused on my subject of interest - it's 'inspiration fuel', if you will. The most difficult part of assembling the final project is sifting through all the material and, using common sense, sort out the facts from the 'Bovine Scatology'...

My .02

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Hi Ashley.

I am a nobody here, but have friends who are somebodies and they do research and write books.

Research papers.

1) Pick a topic. (You've done that.)
2) Take your topic and think of every sort of point and definition, put them on index cards:
- theatres that crew members regularly attended
- theatrical people aboard Titanic
- plays written about the sinking
- movies written about the sinking
- musicals written about the sinking
- etc
3) research the internet for ideas one index card at a time. Note information, even if repeated and web address (give credit)
4) Once you have found this information make sure that each piece of information is within an index card section of a single topic. If a bit of infomration crosses topics then perhaps use a separate card color and pplace the duplicate information in both sections.
5) Set up a schedule for yourself to use the library for each index card section. You will take one full day to look up- data in an encyclopedia for each bit of information you have collected. highlight this in yellow if you do not find it and place it on a yellow index card. This may sound stupid, but the data you find in an encyclopedia is probably generally known and can be used as general background, but for a truly great unique paper, highlight the stuff that is not in the encyclopedia and search for that.

If any tidbit has anything to do with a person, higlight the person's name in green and write the person's name down on a green index card, but keep it in its section.

6) Write up a general basic background of the theatre reagrding titanic as a draft.

7) take the yellow cards with their general card information (but set aside) and look up all books you can locate at your library and research th yellow card information. Highlight in pink all that you do not find. And write the bits down on pink index cards.

8) Next hit the microfilm, newspapers, periodicals, and research each pink card.

9) now, research each person mentioned by collecting all green cards. Birth and death receords.

10) write up a draft for each section and each person.

11) Write up draft summary including all data.

12) put it down for two weeks.

13) Read it with a pencil in your hand. Re-write it. When it is perfect get someone who will tear it apart to read it and someone with experience and or knowledge of the topic...Pat Cook perhaps and Phil Gowan is a great people person. Fiona is someone I do not know well but is very sharp when it comes to arts and writing. I base that on what I read here and others compliments of her.

Always keep in mind to always have two sources that say same thing if there is ever a question of authenicity or accuracy. A book written does not a truth make and that goes for newspapers as well. And the internet is filled with Titanic myths. Use the internet as a means to check out the truth, but never use it as the truth without a second opinion of a different type. And even then check out that writers source.

If I post here that there is cheese on the moon and Michael Standart includes that in his book and Phil Hind quotes Mikes book in his convention notes and Geoff includes that in the BTS quarterly and I write my updated second edition and base my statement on the facts of these others.....somehow I think that may be near to "Bovine Scatology" and not something you want.

I think that may be up to two cents worth too, but maybe not. Like I said I am absolutely nobody here.

maureen.

 

[Mike Herbold]

Excellent advice, Mo. Especially points 12 and 13.

Ashley:
Here are two good books that are somewhat related to your topic:

"The Titanic In Pictures" by Simon Mills (1995) a very thorough study of all the movies ever made about the Titanic, as of 1995,

"The Titanic and Silent Cinema" by Stephen Bottomore (2000), which concentrates only on the early silent movies and documentaries.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Wowzers! Maureen certainly hit the nail on the head with that one. Hard to see how I can top that. Another thing to keep in mind once published, lend a good ear to your critics. Some may not be worth listening to...the sourgrapes factor comes into play here as well as people holding to preconcieved notions and positions they have an investment in...yet the people who pan you the worst may well have useful insights to offer. Erik, Tracy, and myself authored an article on the Californian mess that we hope to update for print and we intend to go over the threads where we recieved criticism for leads on which to research material for corrections, and to persue ideas and insights which never occurred to us.

Bottom line, even if they don't intend such, your harshest critic can sometimes be your best friend!

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart

 

[Inger Sheil]

G'day Ashley -

Good outline notes on a research strategy from Maureen there.

Unfortunately, I'm the Queen of Tangents so I'd be the last person to advise you about staying on-topic whilst researching. Unless I have the pressure of a very specific deadline (either for myself or someone I'm doing a look up for) I meander all over the map. Which is why I have any number of research projects on the boil at any given time, and often take on new ones. Countless hours have been wasted out at the British Newspaper Library reading the Home Rule debates that occured around the time of the sinking. While a willingness to follow up an opportunity when it presents itself has led to some interesting discoveries (a curious document in a catalogue, a question from a colleague overseas that can be followed up through the resources I can access in the UK), it also means there can be a lack of focus in my direction. A joke from my collaborator is that I'm the woman who jumped on a horse and rode off at once in all directions.

That lack of self-discipline can also be reflected in my writing, which is why I appreciate the talented editors who hone my work - among them Senan Molony, editor of the White Star Journal, who can slice through my 'million ocean miles of words' and encourage me to stick to what is essential rather than the pretty trinkets of facts that delight me but few others.

So this strikes a more cautionary note rather helpful guideline. At the same time, sometimes it helps to remember that the diversions we take on the way to our destination can lead to the most useful finds of all.

~ Inger

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Mike, Mike and Inger, wow, thanks for the more than generous compliments. I have learned a lot of this from people here. Especially Inger and Senan (through the school of hard knocks of course as I am very thick headed), from each of the Mikes, and also from Dave Gittins. Second sourcing is critical and validation and verification of sources is also critical.

But the freedom to do what Inger does is what makes her such a tremendous resource as an individual. The wealth of knowledge in that brain could fill a huge library. And it is interesting, in doing research for others, although it takes you off beaten paths, it also provides insight into yet another thought process at times. And even this part of research is fun.

Personally, I have discovered things and looked up things for people quite by accident that others had no idea existed before all because I went off my path.

So, Ashley if you are doing a research paper with a specific deadline, do your schedule thingy. But if you are intending to write a book, take time and savour the data as you collect it. Do the very best. As I said before, I am no researcher or author and am a nobody here, but I have shared a forum with some of the best and in observation, this is what I came up with.

Maureen.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Mo, you ain't a "nobody", and I thought your advice was spot on the money. No surprise there as this sort of thing is part and parcel of what you do for a living.

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Many of the works I do at my job have been real titanic efforts...hehehehehehehehehe

Thanks, you're sweet Mike.

 

[Phillip Gowan]

Maureen, great to see you back. I hope all the 9/11 aftermath is at last allowing you some breathing time. We missed you in January.

Phil

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Thanks so much Phil. It is so great to be back among friends. Just feels good to be here with friends.

Happy to say that I see the light at the end of the tunnel on many aspects. Let's leave it at that.

I wanted soooooo badly to be there in SC so when you do that again, I'm coming.

Say hi to all my friends in the UK for the convention for me.

Enjoy your day.
Maureen.

 

[Ashley Regan]

Thank you one and all for giving me so much more feedback than I had expected here! Especially Maureen, and Inger what a wonderful checklist for anyone doing research. Thanks too Michael Stanart and Mike Herbold for your input also. (gee I feel like I'm accepting an Oscar here)!

I graduate in May and will be doing some theatre group acting during the summer before going on to study acting further so in the quiet moments I will be thinking of you all and your generous shared experiences on research. I have written many term papers with top grades for my depth of insight and synthesis of the material into a theme and a position paper. I will post you here when I have a draft to read of this paper (not for school just for me).

Thanks
Ashley

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Ashley, thanks for your kind remarks and I wish you well on your journey in the theatre. Inger, Mike Standart and Mike Herbold, plus others here are all fine writers willing to help out others. Look forward to reading your work!

Maureen.

 

[Ben Holme]

Hello Ashley,

Nice to see a fellow sufferer (that's drama student!) on the board. Throughout Feb and March I was involved in two enjoyable but exhausting plays, the latter being an examined performance(!), and I found it hard to focus on "matters Titanic" on top of everything else, so I can identify with the feeling of being confined to the net when conducting research! Do you hope to major on acting eventually i.e. professionally?

I very much hope your research into Titanic's theatrical/drama connections leads to a paper. Several passengers (inc. the Harrises, Dorothy Gibson etc.) had strong links with the theatre/film industry. There were others with more tenuous theatrical assosciations, but worth looking into, nonetheless. ET is, of course, a great starting point for initial research into them. Anyway, best of luck with your project!

Maureen - Great to see you back here again! Hope all is well with you.


(Message edited by benedict on March 31, 2002)

 

[Maureen Zottoli]

Hey there Ben! Great to see you here as well!

I have really missed this motley crew (hehehehehe) and it is so good to be among friends again.

One thing that this past year has taught me is that I totally understand why many Titanic folks did not discuss many specifics and they did not want to have to remember details, it was because it brought it all back fresh.

I first studied voice and have sung many places. But one thing a great voice teacher I had once said to me was this, you will not truly be able to sing great until you have been truly hurt deeply...only then will you be great.

She was right. And I think that applies to acting as well. Observe people in these days and take an assessment of the deep feelings over this past year and draw on those experiences. Add to that "envelope" of life and you will become a great actor that we will all say, hey I knew him (her for Ashley is out there)when...and will be so proud.

Good luck to both you and Ashley in your acting!
Maureen.