E.L. Quarantelli Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0194

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The E.L. Quarantelli Papers consist research and writing done by Dr. Enrico L. (“E.L.”) Quarantelli on the subject of streaking on college campuses.

Dates

Creation: 1974-1985

Extent

0.37 Cubic Feet (1 archives box.)

Creator

Quarantelli, E.L. (Enrico Louis) (Person)

Scope and Contents

The collection contains research notes relating to Dr. Quarantelli’s work on streaking, as well as drafts of articles generated for publication. Researchers will be interested in the process of the research, the data analysis methods used, and the navigation of the journal writing and review process.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Enrico L. ("E.L.") Quarantelli was one of the first researchers to explore the sociological aspects of disaster. He first undertook field studies as part of the National Opinions Research Center at the University of Chicago, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Sociology in 1959. He went on to found the Disaster Research Center at Ohio State University in 1963, and it was there that he undertook the research present in this collection.

Dr. Quarantelli’s interest in collective behavior led to a study of the mid-1970’s phenomenon of streaking on college campuses. He was particularly interested in the spread of the activity across seemingly disconnected campuses. He undertook a survey of college campuses across the country in 1974, though the data was not fully analyzed and published until 1985.

Dr. Quarantelli was Professor Emeritus at the University of Delaware, where he relocated to in 1985 and is the current home of the Disaster Research Center.

Dr. Enrico L, Quarantelli passed away on April 3, 2017.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright and other restrictions may apply to the materials in this collection. Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Separated Materials

Originally included in the collection were copies of the responses to Dr. Quarantelli’s 1974 survey of colleges regarding streaking. Review of these materials showed that the surveys had been de-anonymized and included the respondents name and institution. While this would not have been an issue for the original researchers, it would not pass today’s ethical standards, making potential reuse problematic. Preservation concerns were also raised given the condition and volume of the records. These concerns, as well as the fact that the results were well documented in the other research files in the collection, led to the decision to destroy the survey instruments, in accordance with the Deed of Gift, in September 2016.

Additional popular culture-related materials, including Star Trek and Dr. Pepper memorabilia, as well as several books and periodicals, were separated from the collection upon arrival and placed into the main collections of the Browne Popular Culture Library.