1 Define your research question and scope

Before you start browsing the digital collections of various archives, you need to have a clear and specific research question and scope. This will help you narrow down your search and avoid getting overwhelmed by the vast amount of information that may or may not be relevant to your topic. You should also identify the types of sources you are looking for, such as letters, diaries, newspapers, photographs, maps, etc., and the time period and geographic location you are interested in. Having these criteria in mind will help you filter and evaluate the online sources you find.

2 Find and access online archives

The next step is to find and access the online archives that may contain the sources you need. You can start by searching for keywords related to your topic on general search engines or databases, such as Google, WorldCat, or ArchiveGrid. These can help you locate the physical archives that hold the collections you are interested in, and then you can check their websites to see if they have digitized any of their materials or if they offer any online services, such as scanning, emailing, or mailing copies of documents. You can also use specialized search engines or portals that focus on specific types of sources or topics, such as Europeana, Trove, or Chronicling America. These can help you access and browse thousands of digitized sources from various archives around the world.

3 Evaluate and cite your sources

Once you have found some online sources that match your research question and scope, you need to evaluate and cite them properly. You should always check the authenticity, accuracy, and context of the sources you use, and compare them with other sources to verify their reliability and relevance. You should also be aware of the limitations and biases of the online archives and the digitization process, such as incomplete or selective coverage, poor image quality, transcription errors, or lack of metadata. You should always cite your sources according to the citation style and format required by your discipline or project, and include as much information as possible about the original source and the online archive, such as the title, author, date, collection, repository, URL, and access date.

4 Use online tools and software

To make your archival research more efficient and organized, you can use various online tools and software that can help you with different aspects of your research process. For example, you can use cloud storage services, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, to store and backup your digital files and documents. You can use citation management tools, such as Zotero or Mendeley, to collect, organize, and format your references and bibliographies. You can use note-taking and annotation tools, such as Evernote or OneNote, to record and highlight your observations and analysis. You can use data analysis and visualization tools, such as NVivo or Tableau, to code, categorize, and display your data and findings. You can also use communication and collaboration tools, such as Zoom or Slack, to connect and share your work with other researchers, archivists, or mentors.

5 Seek professional guidance and support

Finally, you should not hesitate to seek professional guidance and support from the archivists, librarians, or other experts who work at the archives you are using or who specialize in your topic or field. They can help you with finding, accessing, and interpreting the sources you need, as well as with resolving any technical or ethical issues that may arise during your research. You can contact them via email, phone, or online chat, or request a virtual consultation or appointment. You can also join online communities and networks of researchers and archivists who share your interests and goals, and exchange ideas, feedback, and resources with them. You can find these communities and networks on social media platforms, such as Twitter or Facebook, or on online forums and blogs, such as H-Net or The Junto.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?