Prep for Methodology, a LS 502 post

Now that the lit review is done it is now time for the development of the methodology report.

I have to figure out the exact method that I would wish to employ for this study; basically how will I gather data, what is my sample size, and so forth.  I am looking back over my problem statement, and while I think it is a very good one I will tweak it just a bit as a result of my review of the literature out there. Instead of solely focusing on oral history I am going to expand it to digital history in general, but with a slight focus on archives that deal with oral histories.

It Be Done, a LS 502 Post

The lit review is finished.

Breath in, breath out.

I will say that after doing the lit review I have a better grasp on the research process. It is becoming more tangible in my head and not just some high ideal found in Plato's cave. 

Next up on the list is methodology. I have no shame in admitting that is a little (well, maybe a lot) overwhelming.  Off the cuff, right now, I do not think my original thought of simple surveys and interviews to collect data will change much. However that does not really mean that it is set in stone.

I'll go over my lit review one more time before turning it in tomorrow when I'm more awake.

World's Funniest Classical Music Performances

Now trying to find each of these individually.

If any knows where to find them, please let me know! :)

Writing, Right?, a LS 502 Post

Ok, so all of my notes are written up and I have a fairly certain idea of what exactly I'm going to write. That's the good news, the bad news is I'm coming down with something that is making everything sluggish in thought and movement. In that light I am very thankful for the four day extension given by my professor. So the lit review is now due on Saturday as appose to tomorrow.

In other news, I found an interesting article that gives a fantastic overview about what exactly should be involved in a digital preservation program. While it's not a research article, I'm using it in my review to say 'here's an idea, what can we do with it'. I do have the five required research articles so I think I am doing alright.

I usually write everything out by hand before typing it out. Yes it does take a little bit longer, but it helps the flow of thoughts and what I'm writing makes more sense to me.

Almost there - I hope!

My Own Fault, a LS 502 Post

I am in my current pickle for not really reading my articles thoroughly enough. While I am finding a lot of articles dealing with oral history, there not so much out there in terms of research in how to preserve it. But my idea of shift my focus to a more broader scope has helped tremendously.

To write this I am taking a similar method I used when writing my thesis for my B.A.; figure out what areas I want to cover, then as I read the articles make notes under each section. It helps me organize my thoughts and the setup of my paper.

So with a freshly made batch of french-pressed coffee I go into the unknown for my literature review!!!

Here We Go Again, a LS 502 post

Due to my grievous error, I am now scrambling around looking for articles for my literature review. I am avoiding case study articles because they seem too much like 'what we do good' for than actual research. Unfortunately that seemed to be the primary results of my searches.

So after a few rounds of banging my head against the desk I had an idea. I've decided to shift my focus unto a more broader topic - digital preservation. My thought process is this: oral history is mostly recordings (audio, video), and there isn't enough space for storing tapes upon tapes So, eventually, they are going to be converted into a digital format, which allows me to look at digital preservation then narrow it down to oral histories.

I am fortunate that at least one of the articles (Analog, The Sequel by Conrad) is an analysis and an interview, so it gives me something to start with.

I refuse to say that everything else I've read was a waste of time. It did give me the proper mindset to understand what I am attempting to study. So Ha!

With lunch ending soon I must be off! TTFN!

Blue Screen of Death, a LS 502 post

You know that sickening feeling you get in your gut when your computer gives yo the blue screen of death?

That has happen to me twice with my computers so I really know how that feels. Well I got that feeling when I was going over my articles I've collected and something clicked in my head when I realized something. I have not been looking at research articles. The articles I've been looking at have been in regards to explaining what oral history is in relation to the archives. I feel really stupid for this lapse of judgement. I may have one or two I could use, but I feel like I'm back at square one with the final countdown yelling at me.

Gggrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

Articles to Read, a LS 502 post

I found these last night:

Altman, Micah, Margaret O. Adams, Jonathan Crabtree, Darrell Donakowski, Marc Maynard, Amy Pienta, and Copeland H. Young. "Digital Preservation through Archival Collaboration: The Data Preservation Alliance for the Social Sciences." The American Archivist 72, no. 1 (2009): 170-84. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/40294601.

 Greenstein, Shane. "Tape Story Tapestry: Historical Research with Inaccessible Digital Information Technologies." The Midwestern Archivist 15, no. 2 (1990): 77-85. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/41101771.

The second looks promising since it is talking along the same lines that I am thinking. Breathing a little easier now.

Insane Robot Dancer Looks A Little Too Robotic

I love the fact that he is dancing as Wall*E!

More Readings and Thoughts, a LS 502 post

Deals with videos, but has the similar concepts Digital Video Preservation and Oral History, could be used for lit review.

Very useful: Collection Management Systems: Tools for Managing Oral History Collections, also could be used for lit review.

I feel like the information is out there, but I don't know where to look. But right now - focus on find tuning and organizing what I have so my thoughts are clearer.

Short and to the point.

Process of Collecting Data, a LS 502 post

So my internet cut out on me towards the end of class and by the time it came back up class was over. Fear not - I have been caught up by my wonderful classmates about what I missed and I await eagerly for the recording.

With learning about survey fatigue, I wondered how I would set up a survey for my research on protecting oral histories. I probably would not ask too many demographic questions, maybe ask how many years working with archives. Also tally frequency of updates, computer operating system, computer program, method of recording. But I think this research lends itself more for the interview format, talking one on one with archivists and anyone else who handles oral histories.

I'm wondering if there is any way for bias to creep into my mindset with this, but I honestly can't think how one could be bias with procedures. Well, besides the 'my methods' are better than yours' mindset. I shall ponder away at this.

Prep for the Lit Review, a LS 502 post

As I edge closer to finishing my article analysis (so close yet so far!), I now have a good example of a literature review, thus have a pretty good idea of what to do. I am think I need about six articles, at least, to meet the page requirement. I am going to go over things that I've read thus far to see what will work. I think the articles by Thomas Charlton, Committee on Oral History, Suzanna Conrad, and Kate Theimer that I've cited before will be a good place to start.

I think by the end of this St Joseph Cupertino will get tried of hearing me petitioning to him! ;)

Musings on Research, a LS 502 post

I think that for my research there are two areas to consider: technology changes and natural disasters. These two things have a huge impact on archives.

This was an interesting read: (Theimer, Kate. "What Is the Meaning of Archives 2.0?" The American Archivist 74, no. 1 (2011): 58-68. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/23079001.) that I'm filing away. I don't know if I will use it, but it's here.

In talking with my supervisor at work I learned that an archive practices boxing up their collection into trucks and moving them away when major storms hit. I wonder if there is a virtual version of that?

Hurricane Katrina and Oral History, a LS 502 post

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. I found this article:

Sloan, Stephen. "Oral History and Hurricane Katrina: Reflections on Shouts and Silences." The Oral History Review 35, no. 2 (2008): 176-86.

Which talked about the impact of Hurricane Katrina told through oral history and how it was collected. It struck me at how a moment of someone's life in extreme pain was captured  to be reviewed at a later date years down the line. It's today's version of personal diaries from the past.

It's something to think about as I research.

A Thought on the Weather, a LS502 Post

As I was driving through a particularly heavy rain storm, a thought occurred. Oddly enough there was a flash of lighting that accompanied it. What do Archives do during severe weather? Those areas prone to flooding, hurricanes, and so forth; they must have a plan on what to do.

I think this would lend itself to my research idea. When you think about its both about being prepared for the expected.

Another thing to add to my 'to-do' list for my research.

To quote someone, somewhere - 'Expect the Unexpected!'

More Reading, A LS 502 post

More reading to examine:
ALA Oral History Resources

From JSTOR:
Charlton, Thomas L. "Videotaped Oral Histories: Problems and Prospects." The American Archivist 47, no. 3 (1984): 228-36. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/40292673.

 Committee on Oral History of the Society of American Archivists. "Oral History and Archivists: Some Questions to Ask." The American Archivist 36, no. 3 (1973): 361-65. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/40291513.

Morrissey, Charles T. "Beyond Oral Evidence: Speaking (Con)Strictly about Oral History." Archival Issues 17, no. 2 (1992): 89-94. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/41101827.

 Conrad, Suzanna. "Analog, The Sequel: An Analysis of Current Film Archiving Practice and Hesitance to Embrace Digital Preservation." Archival Issues 34, no. 1 (2012): 27-43. http://www.jstor.org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/stable/41756160.

Now You See - Wait, a LS 502 post

"And then, last week, it all vanished without warning."

The quote sounds like it's taken from the beginning of a scary story that causes the hair to rise up on the backs of necks, but it is actually taken from this article that my supervisor emailed me today. While it is not about oral histories per se but it does illustrate rather closely what I am looking into. The article is about the Milwaukee"s Online Newspaper Archives and how they were here yesterday and gone today without any warning whatsoever. So whatever research was depended on that online collection is now in a pickle. The article goes on about the logistics of online indexing and paid versus free online services.

Could this transition of this archive been handled better, especially in regard to the users who ? Maybe. It does illustrate the fragile nature of digital services if we are not careful.

Breath In, Breath Out

There is a that tired feeling one gets when one has had enough. Some people call it burn out, others call it world weariness. Of the two, I think I am somewhere in between. It is a surreal sense of being alone in an overcrowded room with all the shouts and noise muffled in your own mind.

I do not really need a life line, just some prayers, positive thoughts, and so forth. Intercessory prayers with these guys would be very much appreciated.

Other Fields, a LS 502 Post

As per suggestion of my professor, I am looking at other fields (a.k.a. not Library Science) to see they handle keeping up with technological changes. I will most likely take a glance at other research heavy fields, maybe medical science (since that's an area that really cannot avoid tech. changes), or history (since they benefit from tech. advances). I don't know, really - I'm getting really deep into the unknown here and I think I need something more than little yellow floaties to stay above water.

Other reflection - there is something about the storyteller that cannot be replaced by anything else. In their stories they give us a peek from within their world and we gain a better understanding of their point of view. Story Corps is a wonderful modern day example of storytellers. Check them out!

Here We Go, Again

Guess what?!

Youth Group is starting up again, and I've been asked to help out again. I truly do enjoy teaching the kids every week some random tidbit of the Catholic faith. So if you see me rubbing my hand maniacally in the background with a insane cackle, just move along.

This year a few things are different. Instead of the High School and Middle School being separate they are going to meet together for food and talk then break down into groups for small group discussions. Also the kids are going to be in 'houses' a la 'Harry Potter' style, named after different Saints, such as St Maria Goretti, St Faustina Kowalska, St Maximilian Kolbe, and St Thomas Aquinas. Each house has a head, and I'm going to be head of the Aquinas House. It will be interesting to see how the kids adapt to the changes.

However it goes, it will be a lot of fun.

St John Bosco, Patron of Youth Ministries, Ora pro nobis