The Research Before Your Research - Prep

Introduction | Prep | Panel Notes

Imagine a research trip (10 minutes)

Decide where you're going

Imagine a research trip you'd like to make, whether in the immediate or distant future.

It might be to a special collection or museum across the world, or on your own campus. Or perhaps you're planning to go into the field to conduct interviews, take samples, or something else.

Our Research Travel Checklist offers tips for the many different steps involved in research travel:

  • Figuring out where you need to go
  • Applying for funding and getting your paperwork together
  • Being prepared for unexpected changes
  • Getting the most out of your time on-site
  • Properly crediting the material you found in your publications

As you explore, pay extra attention to any steps you haven’t yet thought about. 

Make a list

Make your to-do list for the research before your research.

What do you need to search for or learn about? What questions do you have? How will you figure out who can answer those questions? Give yourself several months’ lead time to complete your tasks. This includes time to test things out and explore unexpected discoveries.

Who can I ask for help?

Ask for advice from individuals around your campus.

At Harvard, Unabridged hosts a panel of experts from across campus to offer advice on the research before your research. Your campus will have staff in many similar roles that you can seek out. Here are some of the types of offices you can consider:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    For surveys, interviews, and other types of research with human subjects, you will likely need approval or a waiver from your IRB. The staff can also offer great advice on conducting this kind of research.

  • Archives & special collections

    The staff at your campus’s collections of rare books, archives, and manuscripts can offer great general advice on working with those types of materials.

  • Grant proposals

    Many campuses have an office that supports research proposals and grant funding, and/or a writing center.

  • Copyright

    Copyright advice might be available from your campus’s library, office of scholarly resources, or office of general counsel. There’s also a national network of Copyright First Responders.

  • Fellow researchers

    Lessons learned can be incredibly valuable. Ask colleagues about their experiences, and share what you learned on your own travels. At Harvard, our “Know Before You Go” session features a panel of seasoned researchers who give great advice.

Introduction | Prep | Panel Notes