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Planning a Research Trip
What is a "fishing trip" and why is it useful?
- It is a short visit to the archive that contains material that you
may wish to use.
- By visiting the archive(s) with an open mind, you can allow the available
material to guide you to the most interesting and feasible project -
let it tell you what questions it can answer.
- You learn the nuts and bolts of each archive:
- what does it contain?
- how large is the collection?
- what can be photocopied?
- how easy is the material to read?
- All of this information will be extremely useful in preparing a dissertation
proposal and in writing grants.
- You will be able to estimate the time and money you will need for
a longer research trip more accurately.
- (In addition to the research work, you should use a fishing trip to
get information on mundane things such as cost of living and possible
housing arrangements)
Be aware of grant and fellowship proposal deadlines:
- NSF: Feb 1, Aug 1
- University Fellowship: January
- Others ??
Planning the long trip:
- Contact the archives, let them know that you are coming, and find
out about rules, expenses and times and dates of opening.
- Get the necessary documents from the department and University: letter
of introduction- takes two weeks.
- Talk to Eileen.
- Set up a Hotmail account or something similar.
- If you are going overseas you will need your passport/visa, and proof
of monetary support.
- Take care of money issues such as insurance, tuition, living and travel
expenses.
- Buy a plane ticket that can be easily changed.
- Take many passport sized photographs (required by some libraries and
archives).
Find out who is working on similar topics and try to meet them or contact
them:
- This will get people interested in your research and will mark your
territory.
In the archives:
- Make friends with the archivists and librarians. You will see them
more than anyone else and they can help guide you.
- Write all your thoughts, ideas and questions while taking notes -
think about how you are going to use the material.
- Interview the material.
- Ask questions but allow the material to guide you as well.
- Figure out what your limit for working is and don't push it.
- Take breaks and don't forget to eat.
- Backup your data often and try to keep copies in several different
places.
- Photocopy what you can.
- Some material may be available or for sale on the Internet.
- Stay on target! There will be lots of interesting information that
you will want to take notice of but remember that a dissertation is
limited in scope and length and make choices about what to concentrate
on.
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