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'''Research log definition. '''A research log is comprehensive list of sources you already searched, or plan to search including the purpose of each search (what you want to find), a summary of significant findings and where your copies are, notations showing sources searched where you found nothing, and plenty of comments about your search strategies, suggestions, questions, analysis, and discrepancies. | '''Research log definition. '''A research log is comprehensive list of sources you already searched, or plan to search including the purpose of each search (what you want to find), a summary of significant findings and where your copies are, notations showing sources searched where you found nothing, and plenty of comments about your search strategies, suggestions, questions, analysis, and discrepancies. | ||
== | == Value of Research Logs == | ||
Good research logs help you: | Good research logs help you: | ||
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Research logs show negative evidence (what you do not find). NO other tool does this nearly as well. And logs save time by helping avoid repetitive searches after a research pause. Logs can become a table of contents to documents in your file. Research logs serve as a foundation on which the next generation of researchers can build. Use research logs to help in EVERY step of the research process. | Research logs show negative evidence (what you do not find). NO other tool does this nearly as well. And logs save time by helping avoid repetitive searches after a research pause. Logs can become a table of contents to documents in your file. Research logs serve as a foundation on which the next generation of researchers can build. Use research logs to help in EVERY step of the research process. | ||
== | == Contents == | ||
Research logs vary in form and content. The following elements work well for most researchers. | Research logs vary in form and content. The following elements work well for most researchers. | ||
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Failure to document as you go by completing a research log (and family group record) will result in confusion. The confusion may cause you to overlook important sources and come to wrong conclusions. | Failure to document as you go by completing a research log (and family group record) will result in confusion. The confusion may cause you to overlook important sources and come to wrong conclusions. | ||
''Figure 2. Example of a partially filled-in homemade research log.'' [[Image:Log17.png]] | ''Figure 2. Example of a partially filled-in homemade research log.'' [[Image:Log17.png]] | ||
== | == General Suggestions == | ||
Use one set of research logs for each family’s file folder; NOT one huge log for all families. | Use one set of research logs for each family’s file folder; NOT one huge log for all families. | ||
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Make paper printouts of '''all''' electronic sources, including written notes of telephone interviews. | Make paper printouts of '''all''' electronic sources, including written notes of telephone interviews. | ||
== | == Special Situations == | ||
'''''Individual in two families.''''' Each ancestor on your pedigree was in at least two families, once as a child, and once as a parent: | '''''Individual in two families.''''' Each ancestor on your pedigree was in at least two families, once as a child, and once as a parent: | ||
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[[Keeping a Research Log]] | [[Keeping a Research Log]] | ||
[[Document AS YOU GO!]] | |||
[[Document AS YOU GO!]] | |||
[[Category:Beginners]] | |||