World History | Research Project

World History Research Paper
Prepared by NSHS library staff

1. Picking your topic, asking a question, and writing your thesis

- When selecting your topic, find some time, place, or event that interests you. This is a long term project and your paper will be of much higher quality if you are truly interested in your subject.

- Your first block in the library should be used to explore possible topics. This is your opportunity to see if there is enough information on the subject that interests you. You can search the online catalog here and also the Newton Free Library (Access from the library website on the bottom of the opening page). If you have established a pin number with the Public Library, you can reserve books from any computer.

- You will have to do a substantial amount of research before you can write your thesis statement. Remember that a thesis statement answers the research question you began with, but also includes your point of view in arguing, analyzing, or explaining that question.

Example Topic: Monastic life in the Middle Ages

Question: What role did the clergy play in everyday life in the middle ages?

Thesis: The clergy in the Middle Ages made important contributions to society, especially in educating a largely illiterate population.

2. Avoiding Plagiarism

- It is important to cite your sources correctly. From the library webpage, click on either Research Tools or Bibliography. You will find the correct form using the MLA style sheet in constructing a bibliography and using endnotes.

The Indiana University has excellent tutorials on writing. If you are unsure of what is acceptable paraphrase and what must be cited, go to their website and look at "Plagiarism: What it is and how to avoid it."

www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml

3. Writing a good paper

As silly as it may sound, always keep in mind that your paper should have a beginning-- the introduction, a middle - the main body, and an end - your conclusion. It is always important to proofread your paper, but in addition try just reading the introduction and conclusion. There should be a clear relationship between these two sections.

4. Using Primary Sources

- Original sources written or created at the time of the event or a first person account of the event. These sources provide a first hand look at an historical event and add depth to your research paper.

Examples: memoirs, oral histories, autobiography, letters, diaries, newspapers, speeches, interviews, government documents, photographs, recordings, research data, works of art, objects or artifacts.

Useful website: Avalon Project http://avalon.law.yale.edu/default.asp

Remember, you have home access to databases. Pick up a bookmark, which has the necessary username and passwords, if you do not already have one.
Also, if you are having problems in your research, ask a librarian. We are here to help.

R 325.3 Col	Enc. of Western Colonialism since 1450

R 509 Sci	Science and Its Times 7vols.

R 903 Wor	World Monarchies and Dynasties 3 vols
R 909.07 Dic	Dictionary of the Middle Ages 12 vols
R 909.08 Oxf	Oxford Encyclopedia of World History 8 vols

R 940.21 Wil	World Eras: European Renaissance and Reformation 1350-1600
R 940.23 Enc	Encyclopedia of the Renaissance

R 950 Enc	Encyclopedia of Asian History
R 954.003 Enc	Encyclopedia of India 4 vols
R 959.003 Sou	Southeast Asia: a historical encyclopedia 3 vols

R 960.03 New	New Encyclopedia of Africa 5 vols
R 966 Wor	World Eras: West African Kingdoms
R 980.003 Enc	Enc. of Latin American History & Culture 5 vols.