After nearly 6 month of research I'm running into some difficulties of how to organize the material.
The digital information is perfectly ordered.
A private wiki serves as a knowledgebase in which I have categorized any bit of information. A small database is meant to store important dates and I'm using Zotero to keep a searchable index of online resources. I'm able to access this information via the internet, even when not at home.
The digital part isn't bothering me. It is the paper-based information that is driving me crazy. I have a couple of cheap display books to store some copies and a ring binder with medieval terms and definitions. Additionally, I'm taking Cornell-style notes about the texts I read. These notes fill about half a dozend excercise books.
Guess what? Every time I leave my home to work in the park, the café or the library I'm carrying the wrong part of my research papers with me.
So, how do you organize your research? How can I keep my papers together and well in order?
Thursday, June 24. 2010
Research Chaos
Posted by Mela Eckenfels
in The Book
at
17:58
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If there is paper that needs to be read, maybe some typing might help reduce your stress. Or get somebody to help with the writeup of the stuff that you miss.
Evernote's my friend. It's acessible from most everywhere, including my iPhone -- but I guess a Wiki will do just as well.
In short: Try to rid yourself of the paper. This not only makes life easier, especially whilst travelling. It also means you get to keep backups of all your working materials; quite a factor for me.