| 1. Find a subject. If you can’t think of a subject, read articles
that interest you. Then find a connection between the subject of the
articles and the 2009 National History Day theme, "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies." 2. Limit the subject. Make sure your subject isn't too broad or too narrow. Rather, it should suit the size of your project. 3. Identify your sources. Use primary sources (original materials such as interviews, letters, and speeches) and secondary sources (materials written about the topic such as books, reviews, and commentaries). 4. Check the library. Be sure to check all sections of the library: microfilm, records, filmstrips, picture files, as well as the card or automated catalog. 5. Use reference guides. Check bibliographic guides and indexes such as Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature, Dictionary of American Biography, and American Historical Association Guide to Historical Literature. 6. Prepare a preliminary bibliography. List all the materials you might use. 7. Scan your sources. Take a quick look through your sources to see if they contain the information you need; eliminate those you don’t need. 8. Take notes. Either paraphrase the information you read or copy direct quotes. Remember to list the sources of your information, especially the source of direct quotes. 9. Conduct interviews if your topic permits. Be specific about the information you need. Ask open-ended questions which allow the interviewee to speak freely. Ask how to spell words or names you don’t know. 10. Distinguish fact from opinion. Be clear about which statements are facts and which are opinions. 11. Recognize reliability. Don't accept everything at face value. Be aware of points of view and accuracy. Use material on the Internet with caution; reliable sources include universities (whose addresses usually end in .edu), museums, historical societies, and government organizations (whose addresses usually end in .gov) such as the National Archives. 12. Define your topic. In one or two sentences explain what your project is about and how it relates to "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies." 13. Organize your material. After you've completed
your initial research, separate your notes into general categories.
Then
you'll know exactly
what you need to complete your research. |