For our second blog assignment, we had to read “Digital Junctions” by Debra DeRuyver and Jennifer Evans. Their article talks about the various types of databases that contain primary sources and how approach them during research.
In the introduction to the article, DeRuyver and Evans ask us if the web will become “invisible.” Will it cease to be relevant while at its height? This is a similar question we had to face in one of our discussion posts. They briefly point out that scholars are “illiterate” in technology. I feel that at the time the article was written, that was very true. Scholars, especially historians, tend to stay in the comfort zone of physical materials. While I am not very different, I am much younger and have grown up in a different age. I have grown up with computers and learned how to use them at a young age. I believe my generation can bring the “literacy rate” (in technology) of scholars to an all-time high. One aspect we can/need to work on is how to better organize all the information that we are trying to save. Patricia Lemerick presented this issue in her presidential address to the American Studies Association. She notes that we have easier access to many materials; however, trying to sort through them, and the ever-changing technology, can get overwhelming.
The rest of the article presents us with how to start looking for primary sources and where to look. DeRuyver and Evans suggest starting with a librarian. They know exactly which databases, or print material, to look for. Next they suggest a search engine, which is not always the best idea. Search engines, such as Google, can be too broad. It would be better to check a database or site that would have primary sources.
Before briefing us on the types of primary sources there are, they tell us how to see if a site is reliable. They tell us to look for interpretation, primary sources, educational items, and promotion of community of interest. In the next step of my assignment, I will use these to help me determine if a database or site is useful to me in my research. After listing and briefly describing the different types of primary sources, they give us a list to links of digital resources.
The second part of my assignment is to find a database and see what sources are available. There are a few questions that Dr. Barske would like us to consider about the sites.
The website I chose came straight out of the article. There was a paragraph that actually talked about the Salem Witch Trials. The website that they mentioned was etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/. I thought that would be a great place to start.
As I started reviewing the site, I noticed that it was very simple and that it was familiar. I believe I have used this site in prior research. It is a compilation of materials that was formed by a class at the University of Virginia, and it has not been updated since 2007 (as far as I know). However, I thought it would still be a good source of information.
1. What types of sources are available?
There are all types of sources on this site! There are documents and transcripts, maps, archival collections, books, and people. The documents appear to be a mix of machine-readable text and copies of original text. The maps are small, but you are able to view them in different sections. This allows you to view it larger and receive the full aspect of the map. The archival collections consists of links to different archives such as: the Boston Public Library, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Massachusetts Archives (which I will come back to later). The section on books contains information on books written by people of that time period such as Increase and Cotton Mather. Lastly, there is a section on the people involved in the trials. There are different categories from the people executed to the “afflicted” girls.
2. Is it easy to use?
This site is quite simple and easy to use. The homepage is a little difficult because most of the topics are color-coded, and the colors do not seem to match up all the time. However, the homepage does look similar to an essay outline. It seems the easiest way to navigate the site is by clicking a link on the homepage and then following the horizontal bar at the top that contains the topics.
3. What “other” information is available?
There is not much more information, since the site is about a specific topic, but there are a few other features. There is a link to a page that presents the mission of this project. There is a pages that tells about the class that produced this site. There is a page that lists historical works from people of that time period to more recent authors. A database search link is provided, but not accessible for some reason.
4. What did you find?
I feel that the answer to this question lies in the answer to question one. There is a tremendous amount of information on this site.
5. Can it help with my research?
I really believe that this site can. All of the information seems to be cited which would allow me to find the original source. Also, it provides help in figuring out how I might set up my website. There are plenty of resources on this site.
Just to make sure I was being thorough, I quickly searched the Massachusetts Archives (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/index.htm). However, I was very disappointed. I am aware that the Salem Witch Trials is not the only major event to ever happen in Salem or Massachusetts, but I assumed that I would be able to find more information than I did. I tried searching on my own and was unsuccessful. I went back to the first site and looked at what they had found in the archives. There were pictures of the original documents (illegible on a computer screen) and no physical links, but I now knew what to look for. Information for the Salem Witch Trials can be found in Volume 135, but not online. I suppose I will have to physically go to the archives if I want to view the documents.
In the introduction to the article, DeRuyver and Evans ask us if the web will become “invisible.” Will it cease to be relevant while at its height? This is a similar question we had to face in one of our discussion posts. They briefly point out that scholars are “illiterate” in technology. I feel that at the time the article was written, that was very true. Scholars, especially historians, tend to stay in the comfort zone of physical materials. While I am not very different, I am much younger and have grown up in a different age. I have grown up with computers and learned how to use them at a young age. I believe my generation can bring the “literacy rate” (in technology) of scholars to an all-time high. One aspect we can/need to work on is how to better organize all the information that we are trying to save. Patricia Lemerick presented this issue in her presidential address to the American Studies Association. She notes that we have easier access to many materials; however, trying to sort through them, and the ever-changing technology, can get overwhelming.
The rest of the article presents us with how to start looking for primary sources and where to look. DeRuyver and Evans suggest starting with a librarian. They know exactly which databases, or print material, to look for. Next they suggest a search engine, which is not always the best idea. Search engines, such as Google, can be too broad. It would be better to check a database or site that would have primary sources.
Before briefing us on the types of primary sources there are, they tell us how to see if a site is reliable. They tell us to look for interpretation, primary sources, educational items, and promotion of community of interest. In the next step of my assignment, I will use these to help me determine if a database or site is useful to me in my research. After listing and briefly describing the different types of primary sources, they give us a list to links of digital resources.
The second part of my assignment is to find a database and see what sources are available. There are a few questions that Dr. Barske would like us to consider about the sites.
- What types of sources are available?
- Is it easy to use?
- What “other” information is available?
- What did you find?
- Can it help with your research?
The website I chose came straight out of the article. There was a paragraph that actually talked about the Salem Witch Trials. The website that they mentioned was etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/. I thought that would be a great place to start.
As I started reviewing the site, I noticed that it was very simple and that it was familiar. I believe I have used this site in prior research. It is a compilation of materials that was formed by a class at the University of Virginia, and it has not been updated since 2007 (as far as I know). However, I thought it would still be a good source of information.
1. What types of sources are available?
There are all types of sources on this site! There are documents and transcripts, maps, archival collections, books, and people. The documents appear to be a mix of machine-readable text and copies of original text. The maps are small, but you are able to view them in different sections. This allows you to view it larger and receive the full aspect of the map. The archival collections consists of links to different archives such as: the Boston Public Library, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Massachusetts Archives (which I will come back to later). The section on books contains information on books written by people of that time period such as Increase and Cotton Mather. Lastly, there is a section on the people involved in the trials. There are different categories from the people executed to the “afflicted” girls.
2. Is it easy to use?
This site is quite simple and easy to use. The homepage is a little difficult because most of the topics are color-coded, and the colors do not seem to match up all the time. However, the homepage does look similar to an essay outline. It seems the easiest way to navigate the site is by clicking a link on the homepage and then following the horizontal bar at the top that contains the topics.
3. What “other” information is available?
There is not much more information, since the site is about a specific topic, but there are a few other features. There is a link to a page that presents the mission of this project. There is a pages that tells about the class that produced this site. There is a page that lists historical works from people of that time period to more recent authors. A database search link is provided, but not accessible for some reason.
4. What did you find?
I feel that the answer to this question lies in the answer to question one. There is a tremendous amount of information on this site.
5. Can it help with my research?
I really believe that this site can. All of the information seems to be cited which would allow me to find the original source. Also, it provides help in figuring out how I might set up my website. There are plenty of resources on this site.
Just to make sure I was being thorough, I quickly searched the Massachusetts Archives (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/index.htm). However, I was very disappointed. I am aware that the Salem Witch Trials is not the only major event to ever happen in Salem or Massachusetts, but I assumed that I would be able to find more information than I did. I tried searching on my own and was unsuccessful. I went back to the first site and looked at what they had found in the archives. There were pictures of the original documents (illegible on a computer screen) and no physical links, but I now knew what to look for. Information for the Salem Witch Trials can be found in Volume 135, but not online. I suppose I will have to physically go to the archives if I want to view the documents.
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