3.1.3 Recognizing the scope and limitations

• Using credible and reliable sources enhances the validity of your investigation
• Why is acknowledging personal biases and perspectives crucial in historical research?

  To maintain objectivity
• Acknowledging personal biases involves stating beliefs relevant to the topic and highlighting the adopted viewpoint.
• Evaluating multiple accounts helps balance personal biases
• What is the primary reason for refining research questions in historical research?

  To address limitations
• Match the key aspects with a good research question example:

  Specificity ↔️ "How did industrialization affect working conditions in 19th-century England?"

  Feasibility ↔️ "What labor laws were enacted to protect workers in textile factories between 1880 and 1914?"

  Relevance ↔️ "Why did worker strikes in the 1890s lead to significant labor reforms?"
• What does the scope of a historical investigation refer to?

  Range of topics, time, area
• A well-defined scope ensures the investigation remains manageable
• A broad scope allows for in-depth research evidence gathering.

  False
• What is the difference between a good scope and a poor scope in historical research?

  Specific vs. broad
• Defining the scope of a historical investigation ensures it addresses specific questions effectively.
• What is a key limitation in historical research?

  Resource availability
• Documents accessible online or at major libraries represent good accessibility
• What do credibility and reliability refer to in source evaluation?

  Trustworthiness and accuracy
• An author's expertise is a key factor in assessing source credibility.
• Why is acknowledging personal biases essential in historical research?

  Ensuring objectivity
• Explicitly acknowledging the viewpoint adopted during research is an example of recognizing perspective
• Ignoring personal biases in research can lead to balanced and unbiased conclusions.

  False
• Match the aspect of scope definition with a good or poor example:

  Range of Topics ↔️ The impact of industrialization on working conditions ||| General effects of industrialization

  Time Period ↔️ 1880 to 1914 ||| 19th century
• A well-defined scope includes the time period, geographical area, and specific aspects
• Defining the scope of a historical investigation is crucial as it focuses research and ensures depth
• What are the key aspects to consider when defining the scope of a historical investigation?

  Range of topics, time period, geographic area, specific aspects
• A well-defined scope allows for sufficient evidence gathering in a historical investigation.
• Match the type of scope definition with a good example:

  Range of Topics ↔️ Impact of industrialization on working conditions

  Time Period ↔️ 1880 to 1914

  Geographic Area ↔️ England's manufacturing towns

  Specific Aspects ↔️ Labor laws and worker strikes
• A good scope is specific and focused, while a poor scope is broad and vague
• What are the limitations in historical research that can affect the validity and depth of an investigation?

  Resource availability
• Limited primary sources due to destroyed archives are a potential limitation in historical research.
• Assessing resource availability helps you tailor your research scope and methodologies
• What is the difference between credibility and reliability in historical research?

  Credibility is trustworthiness, reliability is accuracy
• Match the key factors with a good example of credibility in historical research:

  Author's Expertise ↔️ History professor specializing in the topic

  Purpose of Source ↔️ Objective academic research paper

  Consistency ↔️ Aligns with other credible accounts

  Evidence Access ↔️ Uses original documents