RESEARCH DESIGN AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT

19Jan 2022 by

HIST 501
Page 1 of 2
RESEARCH DESIGN AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
Where the Research Topic Selection Assignment provided a preliminary examination and a 
few sources, the research design exactly outlines what you intend to do to complete the research 
project. 
The research proposal is a detailed explanation of the topic to be studied, the process by which 
you will answer a question of historical significance, and the principal sources for research. It is 
a much more extensive summary of the project than the Research Topic Selection Assignment. 
It must include a: 1) research question(s) to be answered 2) explanation of historical significance 
and reflection based on course readings and presentations 3) brief bibliography, and 4) a research 
plan that explains the location of the major primary sources needed to complete the project 
(archives, digital libraries, museums, etc.) You will write a Research Design and Bibliography in 
the current Turabian format.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. The research question or questions will attempt to answer the historically significant 
question formulated in the Research Topic Selection Assignment or one corrected by 
your instructor. It should revolve around questions, not statements, as the LUO History 
Department expects students to be led by the evidence uncovered in their research, not by 
preconceived answers. Your research is question-driven rather than merely a description 
of historical happenings. The question(s) may include terms like because, accounted 
for, due to, resulted from, required, showed, and other phrases that indicate 
causality, analysis, and careful inspection. The statement may be more than one sentence. 
*Note that when the final paper is produced, these questions will be answered in a 
detailed thesis statement in the introduction of the paper. Of course, questions may 
change due to subsequently discovered evidence.
2. The explanation of historical significance sets the stage for the project in a convincing 
argument. You must prove why this project is worth studying and supervision. If it helps, 
you may treat this section of the research design as you would an introductory section of 
a research paper, explaining the issue, your explanation, and placing it within a 
significant historical context.  At the same time, you must demonstrate in this section that 
you have read and understood assigned readings and presentations for the module.  Note 
that reference to course materials, however, will likely not show up in your final paper.  
Cite the course material using footnotes and proper Turabian footnote format, as 
distinguished from Turabian bibliographic format.
3. For the bibliography portion of the assignment, you will compose a basic list of the key 
documents, historical objects, works of art, books, and articles related to the Research 
Topic Selection Assignment. Primary sources are those things directly connected to the 
topic during the period it occurred, or by previous or subsequent historical actors.  
Secondary sources are scholarly sources whereby professionals analyze a topic as part 
of an academic subject.  The following requirements must be met:
The sources will be grouped into primary sources, secondary book sources, and 
secondary articles with a distinct heading for each. 
HIST 501
Page 2 of 2
You must use current Turabian bibliography formatting (as opposed to footnote 
format) 
Three entries must be primary sources
Three entries must be scholarly (secondary) books
Three entries must be scholarly articles no less than 10 years old
One entry must be an archived, primary source located in a digital or physical 
collection. 
4. The research plan outlines what you must do to complete the research. This can include 
an estimated budget for travel expenses, allocation of time to conduct the research, the 
need for internet access, who you may need to interview, and other routine matters 
related to the research. Students need to show that they can manage their time and 
resources