When Researchers Disagree:

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1 When Researchers Disagree: Facilitating Helpful, Respectful Collaboration Dr. Luther A. Tychonievich, Ph.D. University of Virginia & FHISO Board Luther Tychonievich 1 of 24

2 Why this topic? Collaboration is important Collaboration is hard Collaboration is understood Theory: computer science Practice: sociology & business Luther Tychonievich 2 of 24

3 Definition Sharing of effort between 2+ parties, hoping that each party benefits Involves Coordinating effort Expressing your findings Understanding other s findings Luther Tychonievich 3 of 24

4 How do you collaborate? Luther Tychonievich 4 of 24

5 How do you collaborate? Face-to-face, telephone Mail, FamilySearch.org Forums Mailing lists Family history consultants Luther Tychonievich 5 of 24

6 Gain Risk Productivity Time Communicating Access to sources Duplication of effort Research validation Increased uncertainty Personal validation Personal invalidation Sense of altruism Sense of Antagonism Stylistic disagreement Loss of control Priority manipulation Luther Tychonievich 6 of 24

7 Learning you are wrong is a good thing Thus, disagreement is good Luther Tychonievich 7 of 24

8 Luther Tychonievich 8 of 24

9 If you work on A little theory same data, they can mess it up separate data, can get out of sync Tasks can be shared via both do each task shared to-do list centralized division of labor Luther Tychonievich 9 of 24

10 Tips Make it pleasant for them Give and take Handling stubbornness Handling poor-quality work Handling greedy people Handling liars Luther Tychonievich 10 of 24

11 Make it Pleasant for Them Be helpful productivity & local sources Be nice research validation (compliments) personal validation (listen) sense of altruism (thank them) Never lie: be genuine or be silent Luther Tychonievich 11 of 24

12 Give and Take You should feel that you are giving more than you get Contribution = importance quantity We focus on what we find important We are more aware of our effort Feels equitable? Probably not doing your share. Luther Tychonievich 12 of 24

13 Handling Stubbornness It takes two to have a protracted argument Compromise Record something general (e.g., the 1850s ) Note all opinions (e.g., might be (rationale) ) Move on Luther Tychonievich 13 of 24

14 Handling Poor-Quality Work Do NOT try to fix them Do they accept your corrections? No: see stubbornness Yes: are they willing to be taught? No: they are an unreliable source (accept but verify) Yes: teach them Luther Tychonievich 14 of 24

15 Handling greedy people Be polite and gracious and they might give more later But why does this bother you? Practice thinking well of them maybe this was harder than it looks maybe their life is difficult Think audience not team Luther Tychonievich 15 of 24

16 Liars do exist Handling liars Usually created by society: braggarts Coach honesty: patiently praise truth and act like lies never happened Serious cases can be banned from site Luther Tychonievich 16 of 24

17 Tips Make it pleasant for them Give and take Handling stubbornness Handling poor-quality work Handling greedy people Handling liars Luther Tychonievich 17 of 24

18 Finding Collaborators Family FamilySearch contributors Forums and mailing lists One-name and one-place studies Luther Tychonievich 18 of 24

19 Pros and cons: Family Pro: shared interest Pro: spirit of Elijah Con: often need to train them Con: emotions more pronounced Give validation, accept invalidation (both personal and research) Luther Tychonievich 19 of 24

20 FamilySearch contributors FamilySearch.org lists who contributed what Most researchers welcome contact Be succinct & grammatical Ask a Q they can respond to Treat them professionally Be patient waiting for a reply Luther Tychonievich 20 of 24

21 Forums and mailing lists Forums and mailing lists usually have a topic: find the right one Search archives before you post Detailed & brief subject line Message to be glanced at, not read Ask a clear question Summarize what you already know Luther Tychonievich 21 of 24

22 One-name and one-place studies There are groups that study by place or name, not by family They are usually happy to share what they have Their research is their priority; treat it with respect Luther Tychonievich 22 of 24

23 Summary definition: 2+ parties, both benefit 5 benefits, 8 risks disagreement = good know what you are (not) sharing be nice and generous; compromise finding collaborators Luther Tychonievich 23 of 24

24 Questions? These slides: Luther Tychonievich 24 of 24

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