Revision as of 10:37, 25 January 2008

Research Analysis Table[edit | edit source]

What do researchers do after recording a complex, chaotic set of data in their research logs? The answer is to analyze and think, organize and carefully evaluate the evidence. The following table has helped me do just that. You may want to create a table like this in a word processor such as Microsoft Word, where you can add rows and expand them. Sorting the rows by names, dates, and other data can make the process exciting and effective. Try it, and then please share improvements here on the FamilySearchWiki.

File:Research Analysis Table 1.jpg

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= What Is Research Analysis?  =
+= Research Analysis Table =
-After gathering important research data, a family historian or genealogist needs to think about the significant findings.&nbsp; Placing the data on a research log, such as the [[Strategic research logs--england|Strategic Research Log]], is the first step.&nbsp;&nbsp; After that, for complex problems, it is useful to transfer (copy and paste)&nbsp;just the most important elements (including sources and links) to a place for careful study and pondering. &nbsp;This is, perhaps, the most important part of the research process, for here one determines the relationships of elements, choosing what appears to be true and casting out false theories.
+What do researchers do after recording a complex, chaotic set of data in their research logs? The answer is to analyze and think, organize and carefully evaluate the evidence. The following table has helped me do just that. You may want to create a table like this in a word processor such as Microsoft Word, where you can add rows and expand them. Sorting the rows by names, dates, and other data can make the process exciting and effective. Try it, and then please share improvements here on the FamilySearchWiki.
-The following table is an example of how to arrange data for critical analysis. Note that the columns from left to right suggest steps in the thought process:
+<br>
-This Research Analysis Table has been very beneficial to researchers. A sample of it is shown below.
+[[Image:Research Analysis Table 1.jpg|left]]<br>
+[[Category:Beginners]]
-To download, click [[Image:Research Analysis Table.doc|Image:Research_Analysis_Table.doc]].&nbsp;&nbsp;Click on the link that appears and then click SAVE&nbsp;to&nbsp;keep&nbsp;the files&nbsp;on your own computer:
-[[Category:Charts and Forms]]