Research Resources

Masonry suffers from a lack of researchers and historians in their ranks. What can you do to help?

Great researches don't just wake up endowed with the discipline and skills. The point i'm trying to make is that researchers are made, and there are finite things you can do to provide legitimacy to your work.

Read great research. Peruse the works of AQC, Philalethes, and other research bodies, such as lodges of research and the SRRS. Consider your audience: Is this for casual education at a lodge meeting? Or more similar to a keynote address? Will you be publishing this, either formally, or informally, in print online or in a physical format? You will have to decide and adjust accordingly.

You may notice that as you mature in your journey towards, the way you word things may change. I've noticed that I personally use more qualifiers in my claims. After all, the field of research is like science in that fact that it does not change, but our understanding of it certainly does. 

As researchers, it may be unwise to say, 'Thomas Jefferson was not a Freemason.' A more appropriate statement would be: 'Based on the lack of membership records from Masonic organizations, the absence of evidence in Jefferson's own records and correspondence, and taking into account his known negative views on secret and fraternal societies, as well as the lack of findings by respected Masonic researchers such as William Denslow, it is highly unlikely that Thomas Jefferson was a Freemason.'

What is plagiarism? Plagiarism is a serious issue in academic and professional writing, and there are many things that are often misunderstood about what it includes. Here are a few common misunderstandings:

• Copying and pasting: Many people believe that plagiarism only involves copying and pasting text from another source directly into their own work. However, plagiarism can also involve rewording or paraphrasing someone else's ideas or words without proper citation.

• Common knowledge: Some people believe that information that is considered common knowledge does not need to be cited. However, it's important to understand that what is considered common knowledge can vary depending on the context and audience, and it's always a good idea to err on the side of caution and provide a citation when in doubt.

• Using sources without citation: Some people may not realize that using information from a source without proper citation, even if they have read and understood the information, constitutes plagiarism.

• Self-plagiarism: Self-plagiarism, or reusing your own previously published work without proper citation, is also considered plagiarism.

• Lack of intent: Some people believe that plagiarism only occurs when it is done deliberately. However, plagiarism can also occur unintentionally, for example, when someone is not aware of the proper way to cite sources or has forgotten to do so.

It's important to understand what plagiarism is and what it includes to avoid it in your own work. By properly citing your sources and making sure you understand the distinction between your own ideas and those of others, you can help ensure that your work is original and free of plagiarism.

# Add disclaimers on my own level.

Insert LoR links.

Insert resources for writing and citation, and style guides. Credit, attribution, and plagiarism.

Importance of legitimacy in research - authentic vs romantic schools.

Institutional inbreeding aka 'that's the way we've always done it' and the danger of not verifying things. Also, something about how convincing someone speaking with conviction is.

Chase your interest, enjoy getting sidetracked, be objective and willing to change your mind. Above all, avoid confirmation bias. (maybe include a section on avoiding logical fallacies)

Importance of peer review.

Go out and get good. Look at classes both inside and outside the fraternity. Look at taking college classes and finding mentors. 

I speak english but many paths will lead to other languages. What can I do with language?