Lesson 10.6: The Independent Research Project

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the essential components of conducting an Independent Research Project in history. This project is a critical exercise that will help you develop skills necessary for higher education in fields such as History, Politics, International Relations, and Law. The objectives of this lesson include:

Choosing and framing a researchable historical question.
Locating and evaluating primary and secondary material.
Planning, managing, and structuring an extended piece of writing.
Sustaining an argument across a longer assignment.
Presenting and defending findings under questioning.

By the end of this lesson, you should understand how to formulate an effective research question, gather and evaluate sources, and structure your research in a coherent manner. Let's begin by understanding how to choose and frame a historical question.

Choosing and Framing a Researchable Historical Question

A well-defined research question forms the backbone of any historical inquiry. It should be specific, measurable, and significant enough to warrant investigation. Here are key steps in choosing a research question:

Identify an Area of Interest: What historical event, person, or theme intrigues you? For example, if you are interested in World War II, consider aspects like propaganda, strategies, or specific battles.
Narrow the Focus: Once you have identified a broad topic, narrow it down to a specific question. Instead of asking, "What were the causes of World War II?" you might ask, "To what extent did economic factors contribute to the outbreak of World War II in Europe?"
Ensure Researchability: A good question should be researchable with available sources. For instance, the question about economic factors is researchable because there are numerous primary and secondary sources available on the subject.
Frame the Question: Make sure your question invites analysis and discussion. For example, “How did the Treaty of Versailles influence the economic conditions in Germany leading up to World War II?” prompts critical evaluation of historical events.

Example

Broad Topic: World War II

Researchable Question: How did the Treaty of Versailles influence the economic conditions in Germany leading up to World War II?

In this example, the question is specific and allows for investigation into a clear historical relationship.

Locating and Evaluating Primary and Secondary Material

Once you have a research question, the next step is to gather sources. Sources can be classified into two types: primary and secondary.

Primary Sources: These are original documents or artifacts created at the time of the historical event. Examples include:
Official documents such as treaties, laws, and government records.
Personal artifacts like letters, diaries, and photographs.
Newspapers from the time period.

Secondary Sources: These analyze, interpret, or critique primary sources. They often take the form of:
Histories and textbooks.
Scholarly articles and critiques.
Documentaries and biographies.

Evaluating Sources

When you gather sources, evaluate their reliability and relevance:

Check the authorship: Who wrote the document? Are they credible?
Analyze the context: When was it written, and what was the author’s perspective?
Assess the bias: Is the source subjective or objective?
Look for corroboration: Do other sources support the claims made?

Example

Primary Source Example: A letter from a German soldier during World War I discussing the Treaty of Versailles.

Secondary Source Example: A scholarly article analyzing how economic conditions in post-WWI Germany contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party.

Planning, Managing, and Structuring an Extended Piece of Writing

Writing a lengthy researched project involves careful planning and structuring. The following steps will guide you through this process:

Create an Outline: Draft a logical structure for your essay or paper. A typical outline includes:

Introduction (introducing the thesis and research question)
Body (divided into sections tackling different aspects of your question)
Conclusion (summarizing findings and reflecting on the research question)

Set a Timeline: Break your project into manageable tasks and establish deadlines. Assign time for research, writing, and revising.

Drafting: Begin writing based on your outline. It is often helpful to start with sections you find easier, then fill in the more challenging parts later.

Revising: After completing the first draft, take a break and then revise your work for coherence, clarity, and argument strength.

Example

Outline Structure:

Introduction: Introduce the Treaty of Versailles and its implications.
Section 1: Discuss the economic conditions in Germany post-WWI.
Section 2: Analyze how the Treaty influenced these conditions.
Section 3: Explore the eventual impact on World War II.
Conclusion: Summarize the argument and state your findings clearly.

Sustaining an Argument Across a Longer Assignment

In any extended writing project, sustaining a clear and coherent argument is essential. Here are strategies to help you achieve this:

Maintain Focus: Regularly refer back to your central thesis and ensure all sections of your paper support your argument.
Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge differing viewpoints and address them in your writing. For instance, if discussing economic factors, also consider political and social influences.
Use Evidence Effectively: Support your claims with evidence from your primary and secondary sources, ensuring each piece of evidence ties back to your main argument.

Example

If your argument is that the economic conditions post-Treaty of Versailles were significant, you might present a counterargument discussing how political instability also played a role. By addressing this, you strengthen your overall analysis.

Presenting and Defending Findings Under Questioning

Finally, effective presentation of your research and findings is crucial. This includes:

Preparing Your Presentation: Create clear visuals and outlines summarizing your findings. Practice presenting to ensure you can articulate your argument succinctly.
Engaging with Questions: Be ready to answer questions from peers or instructors. Familiarize yourself with potential objections to your thesis and prepare responses to defend your argument.

Example

During a presentation, if a peer questions the significance of economic factors, you might respond by citing evidence from your research showing how these conditions directly led to political instability.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have covered the critical aspects of conducting an Independent Research Project in history. By learning how to choose a researchable question, find and evaluate sources, structure your writing, sustain an argument, and effectively present your findings, you are now equipped to embark on your own historical inquiry.

Study Notes

Choosing a Research Question: Focus, specificity, researchability.
Types of Sources: Primary and secondary sources, evaluation criteria.
Planning and Structuring: Creating outlines, timelines, drafts, revisions.
Sustaining Arguments: Focus, address counterarguments, use evidence.
Presentation Skills: Effective visuals, preparedness for questioning.