While I am trying to keep everyone as updated with my PhD applications as I can, I’m also working on my own active research projects. And as an independent researcher, that really is not as easy as it sounds. Life is busy and has its own set of demands that we constantly need to negotiate. And when you are independent, you don’t always have the resources of a major institution at your fingertips. Today I’m sharing my best tips for doing independent historical research, and how to make the most of your time and resources!
Set Realistic Timelines
One of the biggest differences that I’ve found from being in academia (as a student, though it would apply as a faculty member or post-doc) is the lack of time I have for researching. When you have a full-time job that isn’t historical research, you are already fitting it around a very large commitment. And for myself, I have Agnes (my westie) to take care of, friends and family, not to mention this very blog. So, it takes a lot of planning and a lot of honesty with myself.
Being honest with yourself on how long it takes you to do a task and how much free time you actually have. If you say, “I am setting aside an evening”, does that actually mean that you have 5 hours of research time, or 2? Don’t judge yourself on not having enough time, but use that information to plan realistically on what you can accomplish. And if you are an independent researcher, I’m going to guess that you aren’t taking the common undergraduate approach of “research and write an 8,000 word paper in a weekend to get it done”. (Not going to lie- I was too much of a planner to do this, but I know most people have resorted to it. Life happens at any age!)You are genuinely interested if you are an independent historical researcher, and you can take your time.
If you are committing to finishing your research and writing for an outside organisation (ie. a publisher, a conference, a journal, an event), plan accordingly. And evaluate your time before you say yes! I have a journal piece due 1 March and a conference paper for June, and I’ve effectively said no to everything else until then because I cannot realistically fit anything else in. Don’t over-commit yourself, because you are only hurting yourself (and possibly your reputation as a researcher.)
Mine Your Existing Academic Resources and Connections
This will really vary depending on where you are and the institutions in question, but if you are an alumnus/a of an academic institution, check to see if you can get a free membership to their library. It is common for Canadian universities to give a full online membership to alumni and a partial in-person membership (meaning you are typically limited to 10-20 physical checkouts at a time). The online membership is usually incredibly valuable for all of the journal, digital archive, and database access. However, I know that it is not common with UK institutions, and can be hit and miss elsewhere. If the information isn’t easily found on their website, contact the library directly- the worst thing that happens is that they say no.
And if you have professors or instructors who have written articles that would help in your research, try emailing them for a copy. I would be hesitant to point blank ask for a copy of a book, but most are more than willing to send you a PDF of an article or chapter. (Re-introduce yourself and explain your current research, also- don’t just email to ask for something and nothing else.)
Purchase Library Memberships
Again, this will depend on where you live and the services you are looking at, but purchasing a library membership can be a great investment.
Before you purchase anything, check to see if you can become a member of your local library, and see what services and access they offer. They might have local newspapers or archival collections, and potentially non-fiction books. (Although I find public libraries can understandably be hit and miss for academic books.) They also tend to have subscriptions to newspaper archives, as well as a lot of unique online resources and databases that are too expensive for the average person.
I personally live outside of city limits, so I have to purchase a membership for the main library. (I don’t pay city taxes, so I don’t get a free library card like most people.) For $155 CAD a year, I get to borrow physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, and have access to several historical databases. The databases have been crucial in my research; this is more than a good investment at this point. If you need to purchase a membership, I would check to see that the databases/resources included do serve your purposes. For anyone studying anything remotely modern, there is probably something to help.
You can also purchase visitor memberships to some universities and colleges, as well! For both academic institutions and public libraries, do not limit yourself to those geographically close. Many resources (including books from a wide range of decades) are available digitally now.
Find Someone to Share With
As an independent historical researcher, I find that the morale side of research has become even more important. Yes, I am doing this because I am interested in it, but I do have goals. I have a few people that I periodically chat about my research with, because it keeps me accountable and motivated. They don’t “do” anything other than listen, but it really does help keep me on track. (And they often have excellent suggestions on where to look for sources and other ways to look at things.)
And if you want help on historical research in general in any situation, I have more tips here!
What are your tips for doing independent historical research? Is there an aspect that you struggle with?
Cheers,
The Historian
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