How to Stay on Track when Using an Older Newspaper for Research
As a student, I know that going through an old edition of a newspaper for information can be a difficult task. You may not know where to start or it may be boring or it may be so interesting that you are constantly getting thrown off track. Read below to learn how to go through an old newspaper efficiently to help you find exactly what you’re searching for in the shortest amount of time.
1. Know What You Are Looking For
Have an idea of what you’re specifically looking for. If you just start scrolling or leafing through (a physical copy) the newspaper you may find some relevant information, but it’s guaranteed that this approach is going to take you awhile. Instead, go into your search with an idea of what you’re hoping to find. For example, if you are researching food history in Mississauga in the Port Credit Weekly newspaper, perhaps keep an eye out for recipes or food advertisements.
2. Scan For Keywords
When looking through the newspaper pages, scroll through with keywords in mind. This will help you find the information you seek much faster as the words will begin to jump out at you. It also provides you with a strategic approach that can be applied to other research materials that don’t have a search function.
3. Know What Section The Information You Want Is In
After looking through a few editions of the newspaper, a pattern will begin to emerge. You will start to notice that the information you’re looking for is in the same section(s) every time. By going directly to that section and disregarding the other sections you will be able to complete your research more efficiently. Not only will you save time, you are also more likely to find more of the information you’re looking for.
4. Be Persistent
You may not always find what you’re looking for right away. Sometimes the information may be buried a bit deeper. If the information you’re seeking isn’t in several of the editions you’ve looked at, perhaps try a different time period. If looking at earlier or later editions of a paper still yields no results, try a different newspaper. Some papers vary greatly in their content. Remember to remain patient and try not to be discouraged if you don’t immediately find what you’re searching for.
5. Know When To Move On
Knowing when to move on is key to being successful in any area of research, but specifically when working with newspapers. If you still cannot find any pertinent information in any newspaper after using the above tips and strategies, then it may be to your advantage to cut your losses and direct your efforts to a promising new source.
