Reporting on evidence analysis

Dear Editor;

I am struggling with the issue of whether one explicitly reports the evidence analysis that has been done on the various items contained in ones research notes.

I've examine each of the examples shown in the Genealogical Work Samples: Research Reports of the BCG site (https://bcgcertification.org/learning/skills/genealogical-work-samples/#RR). I didn't really see any explicit mention of having analyzed the information with respect to the type of; Source, Information and Evidence.

Was this specific type of analysis intended to be explicitly documented in a Research Report or was it simply intended to be something to be considered during the overall process of analyzing the information?

Submitted byEEon Fri, 09/03/2021 - 18:25

History-Hunter, are you thinking about the labels of the Evidence Analysis Process Map? Ie., original vs. derivative, primary vs. secondary, direct vs. indirect?

If so, as we report our findings, then no: we don't fill our reports with "Here we have a this, this, and that. But this other source's information give us a that, that, and this."

To borrow from the introduction to QuickLesson 17:

Sources give us information, from which we identify evidence. All undergo the evaluation process to produce proof.

Users of Evidence Explained well know this mantra. The Evidence Analysis Process Map lays it out in a tidy graphic on EE’s flyleaf. Fig. 1, in this lesson, gives the newly expanded version.1

So how does this mantra fit into our daily work? Is it just an esoteric theory for eggheads? Is it jargon we can handily throw around if we want to impress teachers, students, or clients? Is it a formula we follow if we want certification in a research field? Or an easy way to eliminate all the angst involved in evidence analysis?

EE hopes you answered: None of the above. Using the Evidence Analysis Process Map is akin to using the structure of our native language. As youth, we learned the parts of speech that serve as a framework for communication: nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, etc. Once we learned those labels, we did not start hanging them onto every word we uttered. Yet the extent to which we understand those basic parts of speech will determine how successfully we communicate.

So it is with historical research and analysis. When we report our findings and conclusions, we do not artificially peg labels onto every “fact” or assertion we make. Nonetheless, the extent to which we understand the language and structure of evidence analysis will determine the success of our research.

QuickLesson 17 will give you that foundation.

 

Submitted byHistory-Hunteron Fri, 09/03/2021 - 18:52

Dear Editor;

If I understood you correctly...

The process map is simply intended to be something to be guide the overall process of analyzing the information. It isn't something that is, or should, explicitly visible in the finished analysis. I suspected as much, given the examples I've read, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't mistaken.

Thank you.

Submitted byEEon Sat, 09/04/2021 - 08:52

Yes, History-Hunter. It's a process we go through mentally to evaluate the reliability of a piece of information. Analysts, in research reports or case studies will make references to, say, a derivative source or primary (firsthand) information, or direct evidence, when needed to explain the strengths and weaknesses of their evidence. But they don't hang labels, like ornaments on a Christmas tree, on every piece of evidence they present.

I really appreciate the confirmation. I'm currently into the thick of a research report involving immigration and subsequent adoption. It requires careful planning and rigorous proof to carry in off successfully. So; now that I have this bit of work-process clarified, things are going relatively smoothly.

I really appreciate the confirmation. I'm currently into the thick of a research report involving immigration and subsequent adoption. It requires careful planning and rigorous proof to carry in off successfully. So; now that I have this bit of work-process clarified, things are going relatively smoothly.