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Let's Start thinking like historians. One of the ways we can do this is by taking part in Historical Inquiry. Historical inquiry is simply the process
asking really good questions, and trying to find the answers in history.
What exactly is historical inquiry?
There are different ways of doing inquiry. The basic idea of an inquiry is asking questions
and then answering them. Historical inquiry consist of the process
of first, asking questions about a topic in history. Then, Examining a variety of sources
related to the questions you asked, and lastly, interpreting your findings and using evidence
to draw conclusions, therefore, answering your original questions.
The first step is asking really good questions. As historians, we are looking for questions
that are open to interpretations. We are asking questions that cannot be answered in just
a few words.Ultimately, to have a successful and worthwhile inquiry you need to start with
a set of "Thick" questions.
"Thin" questions are right there. They don't require a lot of thought. Historically "thin"
questions help in understanding, but are usually able to be answered in a few words.
On the other hand, "Thick" questions are not easily answered. These are the ones we are trying to ask. They require a deeper thought
because you need to gather and synthesize information. Historically "thick" questions
are valuable because they give us more of an in-depth understanding. "Thick" questions
are open to interpretation, which is exactly that historical inquiry should be.
The second step in historical inquiry is to examine a variety of sources related to the
topic.
This means you need to look at more than one source to find an answer. Let's say you read
a soldier's letter about the revolutionary war stating he feels the war will last an
eternity, and then you read a newspaper article stating that the war looks like it is almost
over. It doesn't mean one is wrong, and the other is right, both are valuable perspectives
about how people felt and perceived the war.
If we only have one perspective, it limits our understanding.
Historians use the process of historical inquiry to make sure they understand different historical
perspectives. History is not "one story", but instead understanding of different perspectives
to get a full and true picture.
The third step in this process is to Interpret your findings and use evidence to draw conclusions.
It is important to think about your questions as you read through historical information.
Actively search for possible answers to your questions. Ask yourself, "What can I learn
from this information?" Most likely you will not find your answers very easily.
Summarize the information findings that will help answer any questions.
Finally, Use what you know to draw conclusions, and support your conclusions with evidence
from the sources you examined.
In Review... The Process is three steps. First, ask questions about a topic in history. Second,
examine a variety of sources related to the questions. Third, interpret your findings
and use evidence to draw conclusions.
Once you have done all three steps, you have completed the process of historical inquiry,
and are thinking like a historian.