Week 1: Hopes & Gifts

I hope to emerge from this learning and research journey with the skills to use NAIS research theories and methods in my own research and future studies of the American Revolutionary era. I also hope to enter 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration with a critical lens and background knowledge of the experiences of Indigenous peoples surrounding the events of the American Revolution. 

I have the perspective of someone interested in public history and exhibition design, and contain an understanding of how to visually and accurately convey information to a wide audience through colors, typography and visual emphasis. In addition, I am able to read cursive, which has come in handy during my previous experience with digital and in-person archival research. 

One thing that I would like help with is to develop the skills to read and “translate” data sets. Data sets like census data, surveys and financial reports can be useful to learning more about specific people, social trends and how officials manufactured official records, but I find it difficult to know what steps to take when presented with this kind of primary source. I would love help with learning what questions to ask and things to notice to be able to draw out a story or come to a conclusion from data. In addition, I feel that I need some help and practice with presenting my research conclusions concisely, but still accurately conveying what I intend to be the thesis or “takeaway.” I have trouble with organizing my research in a written format, as well as balancing between stating factual information and my drawn conclusions.