Discussion question reply 2 two peers

After developing a research question, the historian must think
critically about his or her research goals. This is not to say that the
historian should firmly hold on to a preconceived answer to a research
question; such an approach could lead the historian to ignore vital
information that points to a conclusion that is different from the one
imagined at the onset of the research project. Instead, the historian
must be mindful of the various answers that the research question might
produce. The historian must also be prepared to separate the events of
the past from the cultural expectations, attitudes, and values of the
present, while still remembering that some shared experiences with the
past remain. In other words, the historian must be prepared to place
questions of “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” in the proper
context. Research requires mental preparation on the part of the
historian.
The nature of the historian’s work also requires that he or she track
down numerous primary and secondary sources. Sources are sometimes
spread across multiple locations, and the historian must often find
sources in a set amount of time. Additionally, a budget can also affect a
project, as financial constraints can tighten the geographic area in
which a researcher can feasibly travel. As such, the best approach to
gathering the needed sources in a financially viable and set amount of
time is to develop a research plan. The historian must examine personal
holdings to see what information he or she already possesses and
determine what types of sources need to be found. In order to do this,
the historian might search through books and journal articles found in
the local library. By paying attention to the sources used in other
texts, the historian can learn where to look for other primary and
secondary sources. The historian might also run a preliminary internet
search related to the research question. Consulting immediate sources
can lead the historian to repositories that hold vital information and
that are worth the effort to explore.

For
your initial post, organize your revised research questions, current
thesis statement, and an outline or checklist of your plan for
conducting further research on your topic into a new discussion post. In
a few paragraphs, discuss what relevant sources you have identified and
the process for accessing those sources.

When responding to your peers, critique their plan and offer
suggestions for thinking like a historian. Does their plan suggest that
they are thinking about change over time, context, causality,
complexity, and contingency?

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document.