Not all research materials are scholarly journals (obviously), and in the Arts and Humanities, not everything is online. Nonetheless, I needed to read a substantial magazine article, and the nearest copy was in our renowned Mitchell Library.
I woke this morning to grey skies and steady, insistent rain. My first thoughts were that the seedlings planted last night had had a good start to their grown-up garden life, and then (on a different train of thought), that I was going to get rather wet going through to Edinburgh’s Morningside this afternoon.
Then I remembered that article in the Mitchell.
Researching in the Rain
Did I feel like another soaking in one day? No matter. It’s a research morning, and this is research. Indeed, I found useful information that’s immediately relevant, so I’m glad I made the effort. I did get rather wet, but I got the feature copied, rewarded myself with a takeaway latte, and headed home. It’s a salutary reminder that not all research is high-flying or glamorous; that there’s worthwhile data in non-scholarly publications as well as historical old sources – and after all, there’s plenty of time to dry out before the next outing!
NB. Scotland isn’t kind to neat, efficient-looking collapsible umbrellas, but my large, pink golfing umbrella is going to have an airing later. Glamorous, me? No!
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 