Terminology

Records | Sources | Abbreviations

Choices about data entry were informed by the priorities of the research project and this has implications for other users of the database. Essentially, we attempted to use contemporary terminology wherever possible. However, in certain situations, a form of shorthand was used.

• Contemporary terminology

As far as possible, we used the words in the source when entering data. Thus if an individual claimed to be an Associate of the Royal College of Science, or a junior chemist at Peter Spence & Co, he or she will have been entered as an 'Associate' of the 'Royal College of Science', or a 'junior chemist' at 'Peter Spence & Co'. Since some institutions went through a number of name changes, this has led to a large number of college and firm names being used, sometimes for the same institution. Thus the database includes 'Owens College, Manchester', 'Victoria University, Manchester' and 'Manchester University'.

• Our shorthand

To facilitate data entry and analysis, in a few situations we have used shorthand in entering data:

Wherever possible, for ease of searching, the location precedes 'University' - Wales University, rather than University of Wales.

We make a distinction between 'Institution of Study' and 'Awarding Institution'. 'Awarding Institution' is the body which granted the qualification. 'Institution of Study' is used where no qualification was granted or where the place of study is not the same as the 'Awarding Institution'. Thus an Exeter student who sat the external London degree might have 'Institution of Study' as Exeter University College and 'Awarding Institution' as London University. Where the place of study and the 'Awarding Institution' are the same, no 'Institution of Study' has been entered.

In occupations where an individual was self-employed (usually as a consultant), the place of work has been entered as 'Self- [the town where the individual was based]'. Thus 'Self- Glasgow' means the individual was self-employed and working in Glasgow.

In occupations where an individual was employed by a local government body or (overseas) a central government one, the place of work has been entered as 'g [employer town or state]'. Thus 'g Bolton' means working for local government in Bolton, 'g Jamaica' working for the colonial government in Jamaica.

Where '(C)' follows a position in the Society of Chemical Industry (e.g. 'Section Secretary - (C)'), this means that the office conferred membership of the Council of the Society. This shorthand has only been used where Council Membership would otherwise not be clear.

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