The Research Like a Pro Study Group: Taking Your Research to the Next Level

Are you ready to move your research to the next level? Have you heard about the Research Like a Pro Study Group and wondered if it’s for you? Our winter/spring study group is starting February 5th and we’d love to have you join us! Here’s a little background information on the history of the group and results from past attendees.

Starting the RLP Study Group

When I finished my accreditation the summer of 2017, I started writing a series of blog posts titled Research Like a Pro. I wanted to test the process by teaching other genealogists how to take a research project from start to finish. With Nicole’s help, I created the course and we launched our first group the fall of 2017.

We were thrilled with the results and the overwhelmingly positive response of the attendees. 2018 saw us holding three more groups, fine tuning small things, and seeing the same growth in the research skills of the group members. In 2019 we held a spring study group and then launched our first RLP with DNA study group in the fall. Going forward we decided to hold to this pattern: a traditional Research Like a Pro study group in the winter/spring and a RLP with DNA study group in the fall.

Why join a study group?

Study groups provide motivation! You can focus on one of your brick wall research problems for several weeks looking at it with new eyes. Having regular assignments to complete on the project and receiving peer feedback will give you ideas for new research avenues. You’ll learn how to better organize your research process and take on challenging steps like source citations and report writing.

What past attendees say

At the end of each study group, we ask the attendees to share their experience. Here are some of their thoughts.

Peer Feedback and Deadlines

I enjoyed the interactive learning that took place within the study group. It was great to be able to ask questions, interact with other study group members, and learn what they were working on. The feedback process was very beneficial; it made me think about what I was learning a little differently when I was giving feedback to others, and all of the feedback I received was positive and helpful. Also the deadlines were good for me. They helped me to set a better pace for my work. I think I will continue to use deadlines as I work on projects in the future, because they kept me focused and moving at a steady pace towards my goal.

Debbie Wahlstrom – June 19, 2019

Writing Up Results

This study group is well worth it! If you follow the steps each week, you will get results in your research process. I was looking for a method that would enable me to be more productive in my genealogy research and encourage me to write my results. I found it with Research Like a Pro Study Group. Diana led us each week through a different step in the research process, and by the end of it I had a written report that I did not feel like I had to scramble to get done. It was because the steps used built on each other week by week. This really works! I plan to utilize what I learned to continue through my genealogy journey.

Heather Robb – June 21, 2019

Locality Guides and Research Logs

I’ve taken quite a few genealogy classes – both online and in person – and this is one of my top two learning experiences in terms of how much I learned that will actually make a difference in my day to day genealogy work. Two eye-opening assignments were the locality guide and the research log. I highly recommend this class for everyone – it is NOT just for those working on accreditation. In fact, I’m more likely to seek certification, and this still was incredibly useful.

Dana Leeds – June 28, 2019

I solved a long-standing family mystery using the research methods Diana provided. I certainly became a research log enthusiast when I saw how much using the log helped me with this solution. Each lesson demonstrated how much more efficient and effective my research could be, and I would recommend this class to anyone who seriously wants to improve their skills. I have been doing genealogy for over 20 years, but this class helped me on to a new level.

Rondie Yancey – December 4, 2017

An Organized Research Process

I highly recommend the Research Like a Pro Study Group to anyone who wants to develop or to improve an organized research process. We come away from each session with homework assignments relevant to our own research project. Diana provides real-life examples of the work she asks of us and we are expected to provide feedback to other members of the study group. Seeing how others interpret the assignments to fit their research projects is extremely valuable.This class is well worth the time and effort, and you will be amazed at the progress you will make on your personal research project at the end.

Sherri Hessick – December 1, 2017

The Research Like a Pro class exceeds expectations. I came into the class with some basic research skills and very poor methodology. I finished the class with some new research skills and a solid framework for planning, documenting, reporting, and organizing my genealogical research. Diana Elder and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, are both knowledgeable and supportive, promoting an atmosphere of congeniality and collegiality. I learned so much from them, but the design of the class also allowed me to learn a lot from others participating in the class. If you are looking for an economical way to improve your genealogical skills, Research Like a Pro is money and time well spent.

Donna Martin – June 18, 2018

Gaining Professional Research Skills

The Research Like a Pro study group was such a valuable experience for me. I am currently pursuing accreditation, and participating in this group helped me gain knowledge and confidence in my skills as a researcher. I had previously purchased the Research Like a Pro book and had been working on becoming a better researcher on my own, but being guided by Diana one step at a time and receiving feedback from Diana, Nicole, and the other members of the group really helped me learn much faster. As I look back over my assignments I am excited about what I have learned and the progress I have made. My completed report has given me such a sense of accomplishment. Thank you Diana and Nicole for your teaching and mentoring. I recommend this course to anyone who would like to develop professional research skills.

Alice Childs – June 19, 2019