While shifting through what seemed like an infinite number of documents, I had no where to begin, just an idea. Within recently becoming a member of Greek life at Santa Clara University I figured it appropriate for me to learn a bit about the history of Greek life. History, is all I could come up. What about the history of Greek life at SCU did I not know about, and what impacts has the history had on Greek life today?
This was me, trying to make sense of the 60 or some odd photos I took while in the archives doing research. Michael Klein, an english professor, proposes a two fold way of thinking about research which he uses the metaphor “hunters” and “gatherers” to describe his method of doing research. “Hunters” are actively looking for something in particular and have a clear understanding of what they are trying to find. Yet, “gatherers” just so happen to stumble upon an artifact that generates the lightbulb to go off in your head.
When it came down to my own process, I was a bit of both. In other words, I had a “hunters” mindset that I wanted to research about Greek life but I had no idea what it was I would stumble across that would spark the topics of engagement in my upcoming research project for my English class.