3.5.3 Constructing the main body

• To define the scope and objectives, you must clearly plan the boundaries and aims of your research
• Steps to define the scope and objectives

  1️⃣ Identify the Central Issue

  2️⃣ Set Objectives

  3️⃣ Determine Scope

  4️⃣ Organize the Chapters
• Identifying the central issue helps focus research and analysis.
• Primary sources include original documents, artifacts, letters, and diaries
• Evidence should be evaluated for accuracy, bias, and authority.
• After gathering evidence, it must be organized into coherent themes
• Organizing evidence into themes improves the clarity and structure of the investigation.
• Analyzing evidence involves understanding its historical background and circumstances.
• Critiquing sources involves evaluating their reliability, bias, and purpose
• To develop strong arguments, you must formulate a clear thesis statement
• Anticipating counterarguments strengthens your thesis.
• Match the argument element with its purpose:

  Thesis Statement ↔️ Directly addresses the central issue

  Evidence ↔️ Supports the key supporting points

  Rebuttals ↔️ Negates opposing viewpoints
• Evidence and logical reasoning are used to refute counterclaims.
• What should a thesis statement directly address in a historical investigation?

  The central issue
• To support arguments, evidence must be gathered from reliable sources
• Anticipating counterarguments involves considering potential criticisms of your thesis.
• What is the purpose of refuting counterclaims in a historical investigation?

  To negate opposing viewpoints
• Steps to develop strong arguments and counterarguments

  1️⃣ Formulate a clear thesis statement

  2️⃣ Support arguments with evidence

  3️⃣ Anticipate counterarguments

  4️⃣ Refute counterclaims
• Match the argument element with its counterargument counterpart:

  Thesis Statement ↔️ Opposing Thesis

  Key Supporting Points ↔️ Key Criticisms

  Evidence ↔️ Counter Evidence

  Rebuttals ↔️ Rebuttals
• A counterargument to the thesis that the Industrial Revolution improved living standards might be that it initially caused widespread poverty.
• What is the first step in defining the scope and objectives of a historical investigation?

  Identify the central issue
• The objectives of a historical investigation should align with the central issue
• What three elements are defined when determining the scope of a historical investigation?

  Time period, locations, themes
• Steps to define the scope and objectives of a historical investigation

  1️⃣ Identify the Central Issue

  2️⃣ Set Objectives

  3️⃣ Determine Scope

  4️⃣ Organize Chapters
• If investigating the causes of World War I, the scope might cover the years 1914-1918 in Europe.
• Match the component with its element:

  Central Issue ↔️ Main historical problem or question

  Objectives ↔️ Specific questions to answer

  Scope ↔️ Time period, locations, themes

  Chapter Plan ↔️ Structure of investigation
• What are primary sources in historical research?

  Original documents, artifacts
• Secondary sources include books, articles, and documentaries
• When evaluating sources, it is important to assess their accuracy, bias, and authority.
• What type of source is a census record?

  Primary source
• When analyzing evidence, you should compare different pieces to identify patterns and contradictions
• Steps to analyze and interpret evidence

  1️⃣ Contextualize the evidence

  2️⃣ Critique sources

  3️⃣ Compare different pieces of evidence

  4️⃣ Synthesize key findings

  5️⃣ Draw conclusions
• What does it mean to contextualize evidence in historical research?

  Understanding its historical background
• A clear thesis statement should directly address the central issue of a historical investigation.
• What are tables, charts, and graphs used for in historical investigations?

  To highlight significant patterns
• Tables are effective for organizing data and comparing values
• What is the first step in synthesizing information for a conclusion?

  Combine evidence
• Steps to synthesize information and draw a conclusion

  1️⃣ Combine evidence

  2️⃣ Identify patterns

  3️⃣ Formulate an argument

  4️⃣ Summarize findings
• Critically evaluating the limitations of an investigation is essential for assessing its validity and reliability.
• What are the three types of limitations in a historical investigation?

  Scope, methodological, data availability