Welcome to your History research guide! This guide will help you with research-related History assignments at Valley College. Begin by taking a look at the "Research Cycle" below, especially the video titled "The Research Process."
Each step in the process is covered in the upcoming pages of this guide. Make your way through the guide by clicking on the blue tabs on the left-hand side of the screen (top if you're on mobile), or by clicking on the "Previous" / "Next" buttons at the bottom of each page.
Before you settle on a topic, it's a good idea to do some background research first. The Library is a great source for background information!
Now that you've done some background research, it's time to narrow your topic. In general: the shorter your final paper, the narrower your topic needs to be.
After you've refined your topic, it's time to start searching for sources. Do you need books, articles, or something else?
It's always a good idea to evaluate sources before using them in your assignment. Do you need to have scholarly sources or the most recent research?
Pull everything together to share your argument and your evidence. Tie ideas from your sources together with your own thoughts and analysis to make a compelling case. Remember: the LAVC Writing Tutoring Lab offers online and in-person writing tutoring for any class that involves writing (not just English classes!). Students can receive assistance on essays/research papers, MLA Format, APA Format, and more.
Take a few minutes to watch this video, which will give you a quick overview of the entire research process -- from understanding the requirements of your assignment, to writing your paper, and everything in between.
Note: clicking on the above image will open the video in a new tab or window.
