Deck 10: Historical Research

Question 1

To a historical researcher studying the lives of women pioneers in the late 1880s,letters written by Deloris Adams of Philadelphia,describing the life of her sister,Rebecca Adams,a pioneer woman on the Nebraska plains,would be:

A)primary sources.
B)secondary sources.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The study of how ideas developed over time is a type of conceptual or psychological historical research.Identify a key concept in your own discipline and describe in detail the types of primary sources you could use to understand its history,explaining what each source might add to the study.

Answer 2

Answers to this question will vary depending on the concept and discipline selected.Strong responses should address a concept that clearly influenced the course of history.Primary sources that provide evidence within conceptual or historical research are often letters,newspaper articles,public broadcasts,and other types of artifacts used to disseminate new ideas.

Question 3

To a historical researcher studying the lives of women pioneers in the late 1880s,letters written by Rebecca Adams,a pioneer woman on the Nebraska plains,to her sister in Philadelphia would be:

A)primary sources.
B)secondary sources.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In historical research,bias:

A)generally does not exist to a problematic degree.
B)is less of a problem than in other forms of research.
C)is impossible for the researcher to detect.
D)can be used as an advantage to the researcher.

Question 5

Professor McGrath is studying the history of African Americans in Oklahoma.Three of the following are primary sources for Professor McGrath.Which one is NOT?

A)Census reports from the all-Black town of Taft
B)Photographs of Taft
C)Diaries of a school teacher in one of the first integrated schools in Taft
D)Articles from the Taft newspaper published in the late 19th century

Question 6

Perry Prose is in possession of a letter allegedly written by President Theodore Roosevelt during his time in office.He has taken the letter to a number of experts,who have examined the paper,ink,handwriting,and content of the letter in an attempt to establish its authenticity.Dr.Prose is attempting to establish which type of evidence regarding the validity of the letter?

A)external evidence
B)internal evidence

Question 7

Historical research may include:

A)qualitative,but not quantitative,methods.
B)quantitative,but not qualitative,methods.
C)both qualitative and quantitative methods.
D)neither qualitative nor quantitative methods.

Question 8

In regard to bias in historical research,the researcher:

A)must be vigilant in regard to bias in secondary data,but it is not a problem with primary data.
B)must be vigilant in regard to bias in primary data,but it is not a problem with secondary data.
C)must be vigilant in regard to bias in both primary and secondary data.
D)can assume that the various biases will cancel each other out without special steps being taken by the researcher.

Question 9

In a historical research report,presentation of data and interpretation of data:

A)are confined to separate sections of the paper.
B)may not be included.
C)are presented in the introduction to the paper.
D)may be intertwined in a flowing narrative style.
Essay Questions

Question 10

Historical research is chiefly concerned with:

A)the study of history.
B)the meaning of past events.
C)creating an accurate chronology of past events.
D)determining an "official" interpretation of a historical event.

Question 11

Fran Freedom is trying to determine what the phrase "with liberty and justice for all" from the Pledge of Allegiance meant at the time it was penned.She suspects there were actually some limits on "all." Dr.Freedom is attempting to establish which type of evidence regarding the validity of the letter?

A)external evidence
B)internal evidence

Question 12

Conducting rigorous historical research involves more than reading historical documents,taking notes,and organizing those notes.Explain.

Question 13

In writing a historical research report,it is best to:

A)avoid mentioning alternative interpretations of events proposed by other scholars.
B)leave most of the interpretation of data to the reader rather than impose your own point of view.
C)point out the weaknesses in the arguments or assertions you are making.
D)discuss the weaknesses,but not the strengths,of arguments put forth by other scholars.