Download Documentary Research

Documentary Research
Spring 2003
Essay Overview and Guidelines for Version #1
Due: in class February 25, 2003
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GOAL OF THIS ESSAY
In addition to your field notes your major writing project is an essay which involves two
different versions. This essay explores from several dimensions the definitions, practices,
and purposes of documentary research as developed by Coles. The overall goal of these
two versions is to help you come to terms with the moral and ethical underpinnings of
social research which involves representing the lives of others.
The First Version
Your first version is an expository essay defining the term documentary research.
Whole essays can be written about one term. Indeed, as Coles demonstrates an entire
book can attend to one term. You should have no problem writing a 4-6 page essay!
Coles does not provide us with a textbook definition of documentary research and you
should not look for one. Looking for one is time ill spent. Do not be mislead by or limited
to the history of the term Coles traces on pages 19-21. That history is an obvious starting
point for Coles, but only makes sense in the context of his entire chapter’s discussion. To
prepare for writing your essay, spend time closely rereading previously assigned text
(Introduction, Chapter One) and using your cognitive map notes to construct a nuanced,
complex definition of “documentary research” grounded in Coles, Doing Documentary
Work. Coles extends his definition and exploration far beyond the initial definition on
pages 19-21
In your definition essay you must identify a) essential characteristics of documentary
research and b) the inevitable challenges and struggles that emerge in the process. You
must include not only examples Coles cites of his own work, but also the work of at least
two other documentarians he considers exemplary.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION
Your work will be evaluated on the following: a) accuracy, specificity and thoroughness
in rendering the definition of documentary research, b) effective integration of text that
goes beyond mere paraphrasing or quoting, c) clarity and precision of prose, and d) style
and grammar appropriate to APA guidelines.
Documentary Research
Spring 2003
Guidelines for Essay, Version #2
Due: May 5, 5-6 PM in our offices.
_____________________________________________________________________
GOAL OF THIS ESSAY
In addition to your field notes your major writing project is an essay which involves two
different versions. This essay explores from several dimensions the definitions, practices,
and purposes of documentary research as developed by Coles. The overall goal of these
two versions is to help you come to terms with the moral and ethical underpinnings of
social research which involves representing the lives of others.
VERSION #2
This version (Version #2) of your essay builds on the first. In the first, you defined the
term documentary research. Through that process of definition you identified the
inevitable struggles in the practices of documentary research.
This version requires that you write a 5-6 page essay defining and applying Coles’
concepts of moral and psychological tensions.
In Chapter Two of Doing Documentary Work Coles presents us with an accounting and
reflection of the moral and pyschological tensions (struggles) inherent in doing
documentary work. He writes, “Questions of fact are easy: we reply with the knowledge
we have acquired. Questions that have moral implications are harder to hear, are not so
easy to answer, and, for many of us, persist long after they have been asked – indeed,
become our questions, posed to ourselves (1997, p.51).
Your second version of your essay requires that you ask and pose to yourself questions of
moral implication. In this version of your essay you must a) define what Coles means by
moral and psychological tensions, b) explain two examples of moral and psychological
tension documented by Coles in Chapter Two, and c) analyze a particular experience you
had at site using Coles’ concepts of moral and psychological tensions.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION
Your work will be evaluated on the following: a) accuracy, specificity and thoroughness
in rendering the definition and application of moral and psychological tension, b)
relevant, precise, and thoughtful integration of site experiences, c) effective integration of
text that goes beyond mere paraphrasing or quoting, d) clarity and precision of prose, and
e) style and grammar appropriate to APA guidelines.
Due: May 5, 2003, 5-6 PM in our offices!!