Created by Julie Goucher 2020 using wordclouds.com

Ahead of the new Pharos course, Practicalities of a One-Name Study we are going to explore the subject of Software and Applications. Any posts will be categorised the same and will be found HERE.

The software or applications (apps) chosen by researchers will vary depending on what you are planning to do, how and why, in addition to what you are planning to achieve with the overall project as a whole.

In my experience, we often decide to undertake something, then start without considering the impact that starting will have on other things, the how of the project or keeping of the project, much less thinking about why bother the project. By far the most common question asked by Pharos students is about the keeping of a study. Many focus on using a spreadsheet functionality and that is fine, but what are you hoping to achieve?

Consider the aims of any study – do you want a website? and if you do, then you do need to consider how you are going to turn your data into a website without investing in lots of hours retyping. There is little point starting a study of say 50,000 individuals using index cards if you aim is to build a website. Index cards do have their potential place, but as a means to an end, rather than the end.

Like all things, evolution is wonderful. I did not always know the best way forward, I am not even sure that I know the best way forward now. What I do know is, what I wish had been available when I first started my studies. How I wish I had been more organised at the beginning, more contemplative of the way forward. 

We learn by doing, thinking, reflective and questioning behaviours and to some degree by exploring and essentially taking something for a test drive. We also can see reviews and read from the experiences of others. So, stay tuned over the coming weeks for the various posts.

The Practicalities of a One-Name Studies course, commences 17 March 2020, where it is part of the suite of One-Name Studies courses offered by Pharos Tutors.