Background Reading
Start by reading general encyclopedia articles or your textbook
Read widely about your topic
Make a list of useful keywords
Be flexible
You may need to modify your topic
Narrow your topic if needed
For example: Assignment - Research a revolutionary idea
Area of interest - World War II
Topic idea - Spies and espionage
Specific person / issue - Enigma Machine
Research question - How did the enigma machine change cryptography?
Assignment - Research an inspirational person
Area of interest - Baseball
Topic idea - African Americans and professional baseball
Specific person / issue - Jackie Robinson
Research question - How did Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in professional baseball and inspire others?
Define your topic as a research question and formulate a potential thesis statement
Read widely about your topic
Make a list of useful keywords
Be flexible
You may need to modify your topic
Narrow your topic if needed
For example: Assignment - Research a revolutionary idea
Area of interest - World War II
Topic idea - Spies and espionage
Specific person / issue - Enigma Machine
Research question - How did the enigma machine change cryptography?
Assignment - Research an inspirational person
Area of interest - Baseball
Topic idea - African Americans and professional baseball
Specific person / issue - Jackie Robinson
Research question - How did Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in professional baseball and inspire others?
Define your topic as a research question and formulate a potential thesis statement
Back to "Research Process"
References
Vandenberg-Daves, J. (2006). Making history: A guide to historical research through the National History Day program. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.