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How can you maximize archival research for effective reporting?

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Archival research is a valuable method for journalists who want to explore historical sources, uncover hidden stories, and enrich their reporting with context and evidence. However, finding and accessing relevant archives can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. How can you maximize archival research for effective reporting? Here are some tips to help you plan, conduct, and use archival research in your journalism projects.

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Michael Longinow

Professor of Journalism & Integrated Media at Biola University
Lara Skelly

Librarian | Researcher | Crafter
Saurav Anand

Thinker. Data enthusiast. Love for marketing, and sharing life lessons

1 Define your research question

Before you dive into the archives, you need to have a clear and focused research question that guides your search and analysis. A good research question should be specific, relevant, and answerable. It should also be flexible enough to allow you to adjust your scope and direction as you discover new information. A research question will help you narrow down your sources, identify your keywords, and evaluate your findings.

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Michael Longinow

Professor of Journalism & Integrated Media at Biola University
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No story dropped out of the sky. It has precedent. Something like it happened in the past. Archives research adds the context to a breaking story to help it make sense to readers, viewers, listeners. Why? Because an increasing number of your readers, viewers and listeners have no grasp of the past — of what has been. To too many, the world as they perceive it began 10 years ago. Your task as a journalist isn’t merely to report the now; it’s about showing the continuum.

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Lara Skelly

Librarian | Researcher | Crafter
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It helps to clearly define the context of your research question, as this allows you to narrow your focus if you are finding too many sources, or broaden out if you are finding too few.

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Saurav Anand

Thinker. Data enthusiast. Love for marketing, and sharing life lessons
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While doing research one thing I have found useful is that we must not decide our possible outcome as it narrows our thinking and we may ignore some articles in search. For example if we are researching about a controversial food ingredients found in a company's product which are harmful or banned substances If we only look for that ingredients or product we may get limited input. Going on if we start looking other product launch by that company which may be totally different product category, there is a chance that such companies would have violated their other line of products as well to gain profit or market share. So at the outset we can have bigger open ended search and then we can narrow down based on articles and data we receive

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Simon Peter Paul Valencia

Permaculture Project Development Manager
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Elon musk just proposed citizens journalism- report whats going on in the hood. Like wise in Philippines, there is this termed "MARITESS"- Mare (friend girl) whats the latest? Be in the ground! check your neighbor, play sherlock, record like the olden Philosophers, sages and maybe you have it right. Just like a software, it goes through checks , verification & validation, if there are findings! repeat the process. Now a days, lots of repository filled by researchers, developers, or websites posted by specialist of all sorts, technically, doing away with the old. Who are they? the un retired, your parents, maybe your former boss or you. Users of your information, will definitely stick if its of quality. Won't mind the time and maybe money.

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2 Locate your sources

Archival sources can be found in various places, such as libraries, museums, universities, government agencies, private collections, or online databases. To locate your sources, you need to do some preliminary research and identify the most likely repositories and collections that hold the materials you need. You can use online catalogs, guides, indexes, or directories to search for archives by topic, location, or type. You can also contact archivists, librarians, or experts who can assist you with your search and provide you with access information and policies.

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3 Prepare for your visit

Once you have located your sources, you need to prepare for your visit to the archive. You should make an appointment, check the opening hours, and review the rules and regulations of the archive. You should also bring the necessary equipment, such as a laptop, a camera, a notebook, or a recorder. You should also prepare a list of sources you want to consult, prioritize them, and estimate how much time you need for each one. You should also have a backup plan in case some sources are unavailable or inaccessible.

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4 Analyze your sources

When you visit the archive, you need to analyze your sources critically and systematically. You should examine the provenance, context, content, and reliability of each source. You should also compare and contrast different sources and look for patterns, gaps, or contradictions. You should also take notes, record citations, and document your sources carefully. You should also ask yourself how each source relates to your research question and how it contributes to your reporting.

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Lara Skelly

Librarian | Researcher | Crafter
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Keep a look out for possible gaps. There might be voices missing from your findings that would provide key insight. Aim for a diversity of sources, as this would likely shore up potential gaps.

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5 Organize your data

After you visit the archive, you need to organize your data and store it securely. You should sort, label, and categorize your data according to your research question and themes. You should also create a database or a spreadsheet that summarizes your data and allows you to search, filter, or analyze it. You should also backup your data and protect it from loss or damage. You should also review your data and identify the most relevant and compelling data for your reporting.

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Lara Skelly

Librarian | Researcher | Crafter
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When organising your data, consider what data you could be sharing in the future. If there is personal or sensitive data, take the necessary steps to ensure that you are sharing legally and ethically. This is a key consideration in organising your data well.

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6 Use your data

Finally, you need to use your data to enhance your reporting and storytelling. You should select the data that supports your main points, provides context and evidence, and engages your audience. You should also integrate the data into your narrative, using quotes, images, audio, or video. You should also acknowledge your sources and provide citations and references for your data. You should also be transparent about your methods, limitations, and challenges of your archival research.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you maximize archival research for effective reporting?

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1 Define your research question

2 Locate your sources

3 Prepare for your visit

4 Analyze your sources

5 Organize your data

6 Use your data

7 Here’s what else to consider

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