Excel spread sheets can be trouble
So I am trying to organize my research for my MRP (major research paper) as it is in very (eek) early stages I figure setting up a sweet system now will pay off in the end (???). So, I have a working bibliography going but then (here's where the uber-dork starts) I have an excel spreadsheet that is organized like this:
Worksheet #1 = Master list; this is list of all the sources I have found and each has associated columns such as "Saved or Printed?"; "Notes taken?"; "Refs checked?" etc. (I also have a column for whether I've recorded 'personal notes' which are less academic notes, and something Gen suggested I do - like a feelings on my MRP articles diary, and I have adapted a sheet from work that is like a one page summary of key analysis points - like thesis, subject etc.).
Then we have...
Worksheet #1 = "To GET" This is a list of sources I've come across and either need to get from a library or off an online database or need to track down in some other fashion - there are related columns like: "call number"; "location"; etc.
Finally (so far) there is....
Worksheet #1 = "Searched Terms"
This is a two part sheet with the top half recording terms I've searched where I searched them (i.e. Google Scholar, or Academic Press Elite) and the date. On the bottom half (here is where I think MLIS Gen will be proud) - I'm compiling a list of relevant synonyms that I may want to make sure to look for.
For example, I may search "Aboriginal" but then try the same combination of terms with "Indigenous" or "Native". In any case here is the funny part
for this series of synonyms (sorry Gen, I forget the proper library lady term...) I put "Indian??? - Yikes! But, people like Tom Flanagan may use this term...sigh"
5 comments:
Hi,
When I write a big paper I find that keeping a set of recipie cards on hand for each source is helpful. I havn't done it since I left home but it certainly is a great way to organize. Just put down the source and the page number and than organize your recipie cards in the order that you plan to use them. Lock is a plastic recipie card box and instead of carrying 45 thousand sheets of paper with all of your sources around with you - you just have a portable recipie box.
You may not find it very helpful but for the chronically disorganized (aka me) it can really help you stay on track.
-SRS
I do not believe spreadsheets are at all dorky, mind you, I've never used one for academic purposes...go figure, I managed to get through two degrees without ever taking the time to thoughtfully organize a paper...alas; I do have an extensive spread sheet for the wedding: Guest list, address, save the date, ivite, rspv for ceremony, reception, golf, lobster, brunch, location of accomodation, gift, thank you card sent, etc. Its a huge ordeal. I also have a series of spreadsheets dealing with our budget, our vendors, our decisons made, and those that need to be finalized. Really, if I could put that much effort into work, I really believe I could be successful someday.
Re: recipe cards, I tried that in undergrad - I. Hated. It. I am a person who has been typing so long that it is how I think. I can't write by hand or I don't like to do it. Further, I like having stuff electronically to like use for footnotes etc. And, well, don't tell Renee but, I kinda secretly like Excel. Sigh.
Lindsay: your problem as always been using your skills "for good" at least this isn't for "evil" per say but, certainly not for your career. Wow you're one of my only friends that that word does involve " "'s for.
Love it.
Try searching the U of O catalogue for terms as "Subject Headings", rather than as keywords or title, to find books. You can click on headings to be linked to better stuff, and you can use those same headings in many databases to find articles.
Also, use bibliographies published on a particular topic! So key for lit reviews...
Gen "If it's annotated, it's gold" Hillsburg
have you tried reference manager, endnote? Great way to index the bib, you can download all the citations and then it will create your bibliography for you in seconds when you are finished the paper. ITs a great database program. My university has an online version too.
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