Keeping records, making notes, and locating library

Systematic recording: the researcher’s tools of the trade Before you continue with your planning, it is important to check that as a researcher you are familiar with methods of keeping records and making notes.

Finding information in the first place can be hard enough. Finding it again some time afterwards can be even harder unless your methods of recording and filing are thorough and systematic.

The card index As your investigation proceeds, you will accumulate many sources of information, and an orderly system is necessary from the beginning. Cards are cheap, easy to carry around. As long as you always have a few in your pocket, you will always be in a position to make a full record of sources on the spot.

Referencing They are several perfectly acceptable ways of recording sources. Each will contain the following information: For books –Author’s surname and forename or initials –Date of publication –Title (italics) –Place of publication –Name of publisher

Delamony, S., Atkinson, P. and Parry, O. (1997) Supervising the PhD: A Guide to Success. Buckingham, The Society for research into Higher Education and Open University Press. ISBN no See page 47 re ethics

Referencing

Note-taking In addition to recording bibliographical details, you will need to devise a note-taking system which records the actual evidence obtained from your sources. Some researcher prefer notebook, some prefer a laptop computer, some prefer loose sheets of paper, and others prefer cards. If you are using sheets of paper, you can staple your notes to your cards.

There is no ‘right way’ of doing it and successful researchers use a wide variety of strategies.

The categorization of evidence All your preliminary work is leading up to the writing of your report. If you have already identified chapter headings, you have the beginnings of a map which will develop as you go along. Your first choice of categories may be unsuitable; adjustments may be needed and additions made as your understanding of the subject grows.

In the research into barriers to learning experienced by mature students, you might have cards relating to performance in examinations; age; previous educational experience; family commitments; availability of books; level of financial support. A category card headed ‘age v. degree performance’ would contain all sources relating to that important topic on the lines of author, date and page.

When you come to produce your drafts, your groupings will be ready and all you have to do is refer back to your notes to check on matters of detail.

Noting quotations A particularly perceptive observation by an author may often illustrate a point you wish to make in an assignment or report, and add an extra dimension to your argument. Making a note of quotations at the time you read them is as important as recording the full bibliographical information about the source.

When you are writing up your final report, you will not have time to recall books from the library. If a particular sentence or paragraph strikes you at the time of reading as being a potential quotation, note it carefully, record the chapter and page number, show clearly if you have left out any words by adding three full stops (…)

It is even better to photocopy the extract, add details about source in the usual way, and attach it to your card.

Checklist 1. Make a note of everything you read. Even note the items that were no use. 2. Start a card index as soon as you begin your investigations. Select a card size and stick to it. 3. When recording sources, make sure you always note author’s name and initials, date of publication, title, place of publication and publisher.

4. Decide on a system of referencing and stick to it. The Harvard system is the easiest to manage. 5. Decide whether to use a notebook, loose sheets, computers or cards for note-taking. Use one side of paper or cards to ease sorting, and devise an index system 6. Devise a ‘first thoughts’ list of categories. Devise a subject key, if necessary. Write the categories and/or key words in pencil in case changes are needed later on.

7. Make an accurate note of all quotations. Note any omission by (…); make clear what is a direct quotation and what is your paraphrase. Photocopy extracts if possible, then you know there are no errors. 8.Whatever method and format you adopt, be concise. 9. Negotiate access to a library as soon as you possibly can.

10. Take time to become familiar with your library print materials and on-line facilities. But make sure you do not become seduced by the amount of material the on-line systems produce. 12. Remember that it is still possible to produce good research without access to computer databases. But the riches to be found from databases can be worth the effort of finding out how to exploit them.