The Linguist's Shoebox

To effectively manage data collected by multiple researchers and analyze data obtained from multiple sources, use the fields for identifying them when you enter database records in Shoebox.

• Anthropology notes databases (see pages 3–4 in the Application Guide for Anthropology)

  \rscr

  This field lets you combine data from multiple researchers in one database and view it separately when needed (using sorting or filtering). Generally, initials are adequate. To ensure consistency, set up a range set for this field.

  \srce

  This field contains the name of source for the data. If the data comes from observation, the source is yourself (or spouse or colleague). If the data comes from a book or article, cite the author. If the data consists of a conversation or interview, the source is the person or persons who gave the information. If you have a biographical database of the sources, set up a data link for this field. Otherwise, set up a range set for this field.




• Lexical databases (see pages 27–28 in Making Dictionaries)

  \bb	This field refers to literature that expands on the lexeme (i.e., bibliographical reference). It is generally for grammatical particles or lexemes of ethnographic significance.
  \so	This field contains the name of the person who gave the information. Set up a data link or a range set for this field. The Multi-Dictionary Formatter (MDF) does not distinguish researchers from sources. Because it is not ordinarily printed, you might add a separate marker for the researcher, if needed.




• Text databases can also have researcher and source fields. However, you will have to add the markers to the appropriate database type.