Writing History - C1

Question 1

What is the main purpose of writing history?

Answer 1

To explain sources, explore analytical problems, or address contemporary issues through engagement with source materials and other writers.

Question 2

What does writing history involve besides collecting facts?

Answer 2

It involves providing analysis, developing arguments, and critically engaging with sources.

Question 3

What is crucial for starting a history research essay?

Answer 3

Conducting a thorough review of sources and paying attention to the instructor’s specific prompts.

Question 4

How should students approach choosing a research topic?

Answer 4

By exploring their interests and narrowing their focus to a feasible topic within the assignment’s time and page constraints.

Question 5

Why is it important to narrow down a broad topic?

Answer 5

To ensure the research project is manageable in terms of time and scope.

Question 6

What should students do if they start with a broad scope?

Answer 6

They should narrow the focus by surveying the state of the field, reading sources, and identifying contradictions between authors.

Question 7

Why is it important to read extensively before writing?

Answer 7

Good writing is based on extensive reading, which helps writers express their ideas confidently and track contradictions between authors.

Question 8

How can contradictions between historians’ interpretations help with research?

Answer 8

Investigating these contradictions can lead to a better understanding of the topic and help develop a research question.

Question 9

What are bibliographies and why are they important?

Answer 9

Bibliographies are lists of sources compiled by scholars. They provide a reliable starting point for finding academic sources.

Question 10

How can librarians help with research?

Answer 10

Librarians can help find specialized bibliographies and guide students to relevant resources, including books and online databases.

Question 11

What is the role of library catalogs in research?

Answer 11

Library catalogs help locate books and resources by subject headings, author, or title, leading to a focused collection of relevant sources.

Question 12

Why should students consult academic journal databases?

Answer 12

Databases like JSTOR and Academic Search Premier provide access to scholarly articles and reviews, which are crucial for research.

Question 13

What are some useful online research resources mentioned in the chapter?

Answer 13

Oxford Bibliographies Online and websites like Canadiana Online and Virtual Museum of Canada.

Question 14

What are the key criteria for evaluating the credibility of a website for research?

Answer 14

Check the author’s credentials, the domain (.edu, .gov), whether the content is also published in print, and if the site provides references.

Question 15

How should you approach websites like Wikipedia during research?

Answer 15

Use Wikipedia for preliminary background information but verify everything with more scholarly sources.

Question 16

What is the first step in forming a research hypothesis?

Answer 16

Jot down questions about the topic and evaluate whether they can guide your research and lead to a meaningful argument.

Question 17

What makes a good research question or hypothesis?

Answer 17

It should be specific enough to guide the research and address broader issues in history, forming a basis for an argument.

Question 18

What should be included in a research proposal?

Answer 18

Topic description, hypothesis, what readers will learn, significance of the project, sources, and methods for evaluating sources.

Question 19

What is an annotated bibliography and why is it important?

Answer 19

It’s a list of sources with summaries explaining their relevance to your research, helping assess the breadth of available resources.

Question 20

Why is it important to evaluate the feasibility of your topic early?

Answer 20

To ensure there are enough reliable sources and that the topic is interesting and manageable within the given time frame.

Question 21

What should you do if you discover your topic is unfeasible?

Answer 21

Abandon the topic early and choose another one to avoid running into problems later.

Question 22

How can professors help with research topics?

Answer 22

Professors are familiar with key works in the field and can recommend useful sources and bibliographies.

Question 23

What is the best approach to get new ideas and feedback on your research?

Answer 23

Discuss your research ideas with instructors, experts, and fellow researchers to get helpful feedback and insights.

Question 24

What should you do after you’ve completed the preliminary research and formed a hypothesis?

Answer 24

Craft a one-page proposal to clarify your research plan and gather feedback from instructors or peers.