Provide enough detail that a researcher in your field could re-create your archival research
Document the:
Description of your archival visit: location, staff contact info, date visited, brief description of collections used, relevant archival policies, etc.
Order of boxes and/or folders looked through
Items you did and didn’t photograph, scan or take notes on
Keep documentation in the order you are working
Aim for consistency
Digital research log : use Word, OneNote, Google Docs, EverNote, etc.
Use headings 1 to 3 to reproduce structure of the finding aid (series / box / folder)
Use a template to standardize your research notes (if available / applicable)
Paper research log: designate a single notebook or section of notebook for your notes
Photograph or scan important archival items?
Check the archive’s policies and procedures on photographing/copying/scanning archival materials before your visit
Additional tools to create a research log
Before using these tools, carefully read their Terms of Service. In some cases, using the app or software may give the company a license to re-use your archival assets.
