HIS 100 Module Two Activity Template: Historical Research Question
This activity is your last chance to choose a topic. Topic changes may be based on your research
or instructor feedback. Then write a historical research question that addresses an aspect of
your finalized topic. Replace the bracketed text below with your responses.
Non-graded portion
:
List your historical research topic here:
o
The Great Smog of London
Graded portion:
Write a clear, relevant, and focused research question about your finalized topic.
o
How did the events of the Great Smog of London affect children into their adulthood?
Explain how another person’s beliefs, assumptions, and values may lead that person to create a
different question than you.
o
Beliefs, assumptions, and values can play a critical role in shaping ones perspective and
thought processes. They can influence the questions running through their head based
on their understanding and priorities. If more than one person hold different beliefs,
assumptions, or values, it’s highly possible they will approach a subject from different
angles, creating different questions.
For this example, I chose my question based on my family whom lived through the Great
Smog of London. I’ve heard stories of breathing issues from the smog, hospitalizations
and spending time in breathing tents, and even being afraid of rain still. Others may not
have had the same opportunities or experiences to allow them to think a little deeper.
Someone may focus on the changes brought about by the Great Smog within the
workplace because they have families that work in factories. Someone may focus on
how to treat a patient presenting with coal induced asthma because a close contact was
affected. And then you have those with strong environmental ties or ethical concerns
may focus on how to prevent something of that nature from happening again.
Our questions will come from our experiences and our thought processes. No two
people are the same in their upbringing, education, families, or cultural background. This
leads to different research questions and focus.
