Continuing Onward, a LS 502 Post

The more I think about it, the more I believe that I should use a descriptive methodology with a purposive sampling (instead of convenience sampling as stated before). Since I'm focusing on wanting to interview people who have a specialized area of focus. Which brings me to my newest pain in the neck - the sample size. Because I am using a 'general populace' for my sample and just basing it on a characteristic, so to speak, I have no idea how to quantify that in any way. I'm thinking about thirty just have a large enough sample without it being too overwhelming, and to get enough perspectives.

One tiny little frustration is when I'm getting my grades back. I DO UNDERSTAND that things happen in life that throws everything sideways!!!!! (Professor - I really do hope you are feeling better!!) But on my end when the assignments build off of each other and I don't know if I've made a grievous error in the previous assignment, I'm building off of that mistake. At this point I'm just hoping that if there is an error that it's a minor one.

Here's hoping and praying!!!

I can do it!

Plan of Attack, a LS 502 Post

After talking with people who are vastly more experienced than me in the realms of research, I have come to form a bit of an attack plan for my methodology.

For my sample, a convenience sample may work best. Convenience sampling (a.k.a. availability sampling) is a specific type of non-probability sampling method that relies on data collection from population members who are conveniently available to participate in study. I am also looking at possibly doing a user survey for digital archives to figure out what needs to be focused on in knowing what type of access method or other issues need to be focused on. The users I have in mind would be young students, the more tech savvy youth, who will most likely the main users of digital archives down the line.

I hope this works.

Defining, and Data, and Terms - Oh My! A LS 502 post

I am slightly stuck on what terms I should and should not define for methodology. I've always had that problem in that something may be clear to me but very unclear to others and I do not pick up on that. I have about seventeen terms that I am going to define. Mostly terms found common in the archive field, and more technical terms used not found in everyday conversation.

I am also have concerns about how to define my sample. I'm trying to find a general sense of the archival community, but I also wonder if I should include museums and private oral history recorders (like StoryCorp). Should I also talk with IT people, too? The possibilities abound.

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.