What historical research skills help you balance creativity and rigor?

1 Define your question

The first step in any historical research project is to define your question. What do you want to know about the past? What is the purpose and scope of your inquiry? How does your question relate to existing knowledge and debates in the field? A good historical question is clear, focused, relevant, and original. It should not be too broad or too narrow, too simple or too complex, too vague or too specific. It should also be open-ended, meaning that it cannot be answered with a yes or no, or with a single fact or opinion.

2 Find your sources

The next step in historical research is to find your sources. Sources are the primary and secondary materials that provide evidence and information about the past. Primary sources are the original documents, artifacts, images, or testimonies that were created or recorded by people who witnessed or participated in historical events. Secondary sources are the books, articles, reviews, or interpretations that were written by scholars or experts who analyzed and synthesized primary sources. To find your sources, you need to use various methods and tools, such as libraries, archives, databases, catalogs, indexes, bibliographies, search engines, or references.

3 Evaluate your sources

The third step in historical research is to evaluate your sources. Evaluation is the process of assessing the quality, reliability, validity, and relevance of your sources. You need to evaluate your sources critically and carefully, using criteria such as authorship, date, context, purpose, perspective, bias, evidence, argument, and accuracy. You also need to compare and contrast your sources, looking for similarities and differences, agreements and disagreements, strengths and weaknesses, gaps and contradictions. Evaluation helps you to determine which sources are most useful and trustworthy for your question, and which ones are not.

5 Construct your argument

The fifth step in historical research is to construct your argument. Argument is the process of making and supporting a claim or a thesis about the past. You need to construct your argument logically and persuasively, using skills such as reasoning, evidence, counter-evidence, rebuttal, concession, and conclusion. You also need to use various strategies and structures, such as introduction, body, and conclusion, topic sentences, transitions, signposts, hooks, and summaries. Argument helps you to answer your question, to express your point of view, and to convince your audience.

6 Present your findings

The sixth and final step in historical research is to present your findings. Presentation is the process of communicating and sharing your results and conclusions with others. You need to present your findings clearly and effectively, using skills such as writing, speaking, listening, reading, and visualizing. You also need to use various formats and modes, such as essays, reports, reviews, articles, books, speeches, podcasts, videos, slideshows, posters, or exhibitions. Presentation helps you to disseminate your knowledge, to contribute to the field, and to receive feedback.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?