Historical Investigation
CHC2DB
Getting Started
•
Find 3 sources high-quality, scholarly sources on your topic.
•
One of these sources must be a primary source. This could be a letter, newspaper article, journal,
etc. that was written at the time of the event.
•
One of these sources must be a secondary source. This could be a book, magazine article, journal
article, etc. that was written about the event, many years later.
•
Your third source can be any type of source, so long as it is reputable. Please avoid internet sources
for this assignment. You may use something found online but it must be from a more reliable
source. You could use video sources here, as well.
•
Read each source, compiling research notes from each source. You should write at
least one page of point form notes from each source. Complete the attached
research and planning sheet, for each source.
Getting Started
•
After reading, formulate a research question that you hope to answer in your
assignment. Hint: connect your research question to the idea of ethics and human
rights, or the impact the event had on the war. A good question stem is ‘To what
extent….’ Check with your teacher to make sure that your question is appropriate.
Examples of research questions:
• To what extent is the influence of the American Government responsible for the
cancellation of the Canadian Avro Arrow in 1959?
•
To what extent were the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980 affected by Cold War
tensions?
•
What were the consequences of the Rocket Richard riot for Canadian unity?
•
See the command terms handout for guidance is preparing your question
Getting Started
• Go back to your sources and analyze the information
that you have found there.
- What does this information tell you about the impact
of the event or topic you are investigating?
- How does it help you answer your research question?
- Compile this information on the analysis sheet
provided.
Scope of The Historical Investigation
•
Students will be required to:
•
Provide a title for the historical investigation that should be framed as a question
•
•
•
Produce a written account of between 1500-2000 words of which must consist of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
A cover page with student name, number, research question and accurate word
count
A plan of the historical investigation
A summary of evidence
An evaluation of sources
An analysis
A conclusion
A list of sources..
Part A:
• Section A: Plan of the Investigation
• This is worth 3 marks. (100-150 words)
• State your research question. You may also explain your reasons for
posing this question.
• Scope of the investigation. State the time frame that you are
focusing on. Identify the themes or lines of argument you will
include in your research.
• Explain the method used. What types of sources will be used?
Which two key sources will you be evaluating and why?
• See example on website
Part B:
• Section B: A Summary of Evidence
• This is your research… just the facts (500-600 words). There should
be no analysis in this section. This is worth 6 marks.
• This is where you put all your research together. Your summary of
evidence must be organized, usually thematically, and it must show
that you have conducted thorough research. Write in sentence
form.
• Think of your themes as the three potential body paragraphs in an
essay (planning, training, technology… remember your Total War
essay)
Part C:
• Section C: An evaluation of sources
• This section is worth 5 marks.
• Critically evaluate two important sources appropriate to the
investigation
• Refer explicitly to the origin, purpose, value, and limitation of the
selected sources. Use the handout you received earlier in the
semester to help you do this.
• Note: This is to assess the usefulness of the source. You have
already shared the content of the source in Section B.
Part D:
• Section D: Analysis
• This is the essay portion of your investigation. It is
worth 6 marks. (500-650 words)
• Use the evidence you provided in Section B and the
sources you evaluated in Section C to write an analysis
of your question.
• Do not introduce any new information (facts) in this
section.
Part E:
• Section E: Conclusion
• This section is worth 2 marks. (150-200 words)
• Answer the question you set in your title.
• Make sure your answer can be supported by the
evidence you have presented. Do not introduce
anything new. Do not come to any conclusions
that cannot be explained with the evidence you
have provided.
Part F:
•
Section F: Referencing
•
This section is worth 3 marks. To earn these marks you must Include accurate and consistent
referencing throughout your HI.
•
Reference all sources, written or otherwise, and include them in your list of sources at the
end (references must be included in sections B and D and may be needed in C, A, and E)
•
Provide a list of sources under Section F which includes all citations
•
Use an appendix to attach any illustrations, documents, transcripts, etc. that may be
supporting evidence (anyone using political cartoon should do this)
•
State the word count clearly and accurately on the title page—if the word count is not stated
on the title page a maximum of 1 point is awarded in this section.
•
Use APA-style or MLA-style referencing for a history essay.