Visual Journal

 

Primary sources and secondary sources are both helpful because they give different perspectives. These sources together provide a full range of information that would not be obtained by using only one of the methods. The primary source provides the original information and facts while the secondary source provides opinions based off of the primary sources. Both are important and helpful when backing up a topic. In seminar we have learned how to use the New School’s databases to search the archives, library and the different photographs. In studio we have been learning how to do field work such as using audio recording for interviewing.

 

Doing fieldwork verses finding books/articles/photographs help one find completely different information that can be beneficial in their own ways. A lot of the challenges I faced were finding primary and secondary sources. In seminar we mostly search online for primary and secondary sources using different library resources, websites and online news articles. While researching I have found a lot of information about New York and in different forms. Because we have access to the internet, we now have the ability to get a hold of not only the resources offered at the New School but also other libraries in New York. The library database is very helpful and gives us access to newspaper articles, original photographs, books, etc. The hardships that come with the amount of resources include it being difficult to find what you’re looking for because there is so much to offer. While it can be difficult to obtain some of the resources that I can discover using these methods are one of a kind. Especially when using the New School’s databases, I could find original stills from different events, locations etc. When it comes to the library’s resources and archives you’re limited to the resources you can find. When it comes to factual essays the library books and articles would be more helpful and reliable than interviewing.

 

When it came to fieldwork, specifically interviews, I had to know exactly what I was doing and what my group members were doing so we could work efficiently and make sure the interview ran smoothly. It is a lot easier than searching for books and articles because you are going straight to the source and asking the questions you specifically need answered. I feel as if one would get to their answer a lot quicker using this research method because this way you don’t have to search around for the answers in a book that may or may not have the information you are looking for. Instead you are physically going out into the world and finding the answer for yourself as well as getting a personal opinion about the topic. The downside of this is that these are answers from complete strangers without any knowledge of their beliefs/where they come from/their educational background etc. The limitations of interviews are that you’re getting personal opinions not always straight facts.