3.2.2 Crafting a focused and manageable research question

• What is the first step in crafting a research question for a history investigation?

  Define the scope of your topic
• Identifying key themes and issues is necessary for understanding the main elements driving the historical narrative.
• After defining the scope of your topic and identifying key themes, the next step is to develop a hypothesis or argument
• What is the primary characteristic of a well-crafted research question?

  Clear and concise
• Specifying the time period, geographic location, and thematic focus is crucial for defining the scope of a research topic.
• An example of a focused research question is: "How did World War I impact social structures in Europe between 1914 and 1918
• What are key themes and issues in a history investigation used for?

  Focusing the research question
• Social mobility refers to how individuals move between social classes.
• A focused research question example is: "How did the Industrial Revolution affect social mobility for the working class in Britain between 1760 and 1840
• What three aspects must be specified when defining the scope of a history research topic?

  Time period, geographic location, thematic focus
• Identifying key themes and issues is crucial for creating a focused research question.
• Social inequality refers to disparities in access to resources and opportunities.
• What is the purpose of a hypothesis in historical research?

  Guide investigation
• An argument in historical research presents a distinctive point of view
• What is an example of a hypothesis in historical research?

  $Technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution significantly influenced social mobility \in Britain.$
• To narrow a research question, focus on a specific aspect like time period, geographic location, or thematic element
• What three aspects should you focus on when narrowing a research question?

  Time period, location, theme
• When defining the scope of your research, the time period refers to the specific timeframe covered
• Thematic focus in research refers to the key themes or aspects being investigated.
• Provide an example of a research question that defines the time period, geographic location, and thematic focus.

  How did WWI impact Europe, 1914-1918?
• Key themes in historical research are the overarching topics to explore
• Match the theme with its corresponding issue:

  Social Mobility ↔️ Social Inequality

  Political Reform ↔️ Power Dynamics

  Economic Growth ↔️ Economic Disparity
• What is an example of a research question that combines a theme and an issue?

  How did the Industrial Revolution impact social mobility for the British working class between 1760 and 1840?
• The purpose of a hypothesis is to persuade others, while the purpose of an argument is to guide investigation.

  False
• What is a hypothesis in historical research?

  An educated guess about relationships
• A hypothesis about technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution influencing social mobility
• Match the feature with its description:

  Hypothesis ↔️ Guide investigation

  Argument ↔️ Persuade others
• Why is it important to narrow your research question to a specific area?

  To make research more manageable
• A clear research question uses plain, understandable language
• Manageability ensures a research question can be thoroughly covered within the available time frame and resources.
• What is an example of a manageable research question for World War I?

  How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand lead to the outbreak of World War I in 1914?
• Originality in research questions means exploring new aspects or challenging existing views.
• New insights in research questions contribute to existing knowledge
• What is an example of an original research question for World War I?

  How did the media shape public opinion about World War I in Britain between 1914 and 1918?