The Research Process

Researching a History Essay

Description

In this unit, we look at the research process behind the creation of an effective history essay.  The unit begins with a 37 minute instructional video that takes students through the research process itself up to and including the completed research essay. Key elements of the video include the following:

• The structure of historical enquiry
• Finding information
• Recording findings
• Writing the draft
• Referencing
• Quoting information
• The Research essay: an example
• Unit Skills and Objectives:
• Develop the skills necessary to write a History research essay
• Produce a History research essay from a range of historical sources
• Develop an understanding of the role framing has in asking research questions
• Develop an understanding  of the role framing has in analyzing and evaluating historical sources and making historical judgement
• Learn how to put together a research folder, take effective notes from sources and record these
• Develop an understanding of how to acknowledge information in an essay using the footnote and endnote systems
• Develop an appreciation of the conventions of the Chicago referencing system
• Develop online computer research skills in a range of settings
• Record research findings in a systematic and appropriate manner
• Read, listen and view a range of historical sources
• Write about history and historical sources
• Analyze and evaluate historical sources
• Make informed and reasoned historical judgements