Writing an Effective Research Report

How do you keep track of the genealogy research you are conducting? What method do you use to write down your reasoning for the conclusions you come to as you put the family tree together? Do these things and more by learning how to write an effective research report to build your skills as a genealogist.
Chapters
0:47 Why write up your research?
1:59 Who is your reader?
3:00 Find your voice
4:10 Begin with a Research Report
4:49 Elements of a Research Report
5:15 Research Objective
6:52 Background Information
9:50 Body of the Report
11:32 Present evidence that supports your conclusion
17:44 Analyze the evidence
20:35 Add applicable info on history and laws
22:23 Summarize the Evidence
24:49 Conclusion
28:51 Project Summary
32:22 Future Research Suggestions
35:34 Tips for Excellent Writing
40:43 Document Organization
This presentation was given by Diana Elder, AG(R). Learn more about Diana at www.icapgen.org/find-an-ag-pr...
This video was produced for and under the direction of ICAPGen(SM). The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, internationally recognized as ICAPGen, sets standards for the genealogical community through comprehensive written and oral examinations.To learn more about ICAPGen, visit www.icapgen.org/
The ICAPGen(SM) service mark and the Accredited Genealogist(R) and AG(R) registered marks are the sole property of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. All Rights Reserved.

[@marthachamness9033]

Thank you for this thorough and concise explanation of good research writing.

[@myralindgren5876]

Great webinar - each time I listen I keep learning more!

[@dianaelder1937]

Thanks, Myra, so glad it is helping.

[@thereselynch2059]

Thank you for another excellent ICAPGen video. Very helpful and certainly useful. My reports will be all the better for listening. It was particularly reassuring to learn that it can take as long to write the report as it does to do the research.

[@ICAPGen]

Glad you found it helpful! Yes, the writing your analysis of all the evidence is crucial and often takes a good portion of the time. Best of luck!

[@kjw79]

What a great presentation! I will come back to this many times. Thank you for sharing this online.

[@ICAPGen]

Kendra, thank you! We are glad this video is helpful to you and that you can refer to it again anytime.

[@rickiking1540]

Your suggestions about the project summary was very helpful. The summary is where I have struggled on how to present it the information. Your suggestions are useful and can be quickly implemented.

[@ICAPGen]

Thank you for taking the time to give such great feedback. We are glad the project summary suggestion was helpful. Best of luck with your project.

[@ChristyTub]

Loved this! Super helpful! Thank you! (I don't know if this matters to your report or helps with the story, but although there were many slaves in Alabama, the Slave Trade was abolished in 1808 so it didn't necessarily "flourish" by 1832. Yet, the illegal trading a slaves did happen for many years later.)

[@dianaelder1937]

You're absolutely right! Probably a better way of putting it was that slavery was established in the area with many slaves listed on the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules.

[@anellawrites]

Is there any chance there’s a handout for this presentation?