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AP African American History

Select source types that are most appropriate for the information need.

For Example:

Information Need Source Types
Current information on political issues Current Newspapers & Magazines
Background info in order to develop a question for a research project Reference, Wikipedia, Topic Overview Videos (Crash Course)
Current research on solar and wind power Academic Journals/Original Research & Government Websites/Docs
Information to help make an argument about the impact of U.S. westward expansion on indigenous people Primary Sources from the time, Academic Journal Articles by historians, & Books on the topic

 

 

Shop for a topic that interests you, and read background information.

Topic Shop & Read Background Information in GALE US History:

  • Click "Browse Topics" in the top right.
  • Select "African American Perspectives."
  • Browse the list and select any of interest to further investigate.
  • Focus on "Reference" sources to gather background information.

Topic Shop & Read Background Information in the Oxford Research Encyclopedias:

  • Click "Browse By Subject."
  • Click "American History."
  • Modify your search with "African American" OR "Black."
  • Browse the list and select any topics of interest to further investigate.

Topic Shop & Read Background Information in the Recommended Open Access Websites!

Topic Shop & Read Background Information in Google and Wikipedia:

  • Google any topic from class you found interesting.
  • Go to the Wikipedia page on that topic.
    • Any sub-topics of interest?  Explore!

Topic Shop & Read Background Information From Any of the Librarian-pulled Books!

Topic Shop by Looking at Any Course Materials From the Past Year!

Create your research question.

  • Determine what aspect of your topic to investigate after conducting background research, .
    • Consider the issues, mystery, debate, problem, or controversies.
    • What interests you?  What needs to be solved?
  • Create a concept map or a list of ideas.
  • Use the below question starters, if needed, to help create a question: 
    • Who
    • What
    • Why
    • When 
    • Where
    • Which
    • How
    • To what extent
  • Put your question through some tests:

    • Answerable but not obvious?

    • Open? (not yes or no answer)

    • Simple?  (not multiple questions in one)

    • Debatable? (multiple perspectives)

    • Judgement or evaluation needed?

    • Narrow and focused enough?

Select and brainstorm your keywords.

  1. State your research question.

    • EXAMPLE: "How do cigarette companies target children with their advertising?"

  2. Identify main concepts.

    • EXAMPLE:  "How do cigarette companies target children with their advertising?"

  3. Brainstorm synonyms, related terms, broader terms, scientific/technical terms, and more specific terms based on your own background knowledge.

    • EXAMPLE:

      • Cigarette companies:  Philip Morris, Camel, Imperial

      • Children:  child, adolescent, teen, teenager, students, youth

      • Advertising:  ads, marketing, commercials, promotions, product placement

  4. Avoid the following:

    • Abbreviations - spell them out

    • Relationship words - words like compare, contrast, causation, etc.

    • Judgement words - words like best, worst, pro, con, etc.

  5. If needed, search Wikipedia and other reference sources to further develop your list of keywords.