Social Studies Fair Project – How Domestic Violence Impacts Teenagers

Beginning Your Research: Step #1: Task Definition What am I supposed to do? Step One: Select a topic that interests you. Check out the following link for previous topics /Secd/Private/SocS/MIDD/FairGuide.pdfwww.clayton.k12.ga.us/2009Curriculum /Secd/Private/SocS/MIDD/FairGuide.pdf On your handout, write down the topic you have selected. If undecided, write two topics that interest you.

Step #2: Information Seeking Strategies What are the best sources I can use to find this information? For this project, you will need both primary source documents and secondary sources. What is the difference?

Primary Sources: A primary source is material written or produced in the time period students are investigating. Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. A primary source reflects the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer.

Sample primary sources include: Diaries, journals, speeches, interviews, letters, memos, manuscripts and other papers in which individuals describe events in which they were participants or observers. Memoirs and autobiographies. Records of or information collected by government agencies. Records of organizations. The minutes, reports, correspondence, etc. of an organization or agency serve as an ongoing record of the activity Published materials (books, magazine and journal articles, newspaper articles) written at the time about a particular event. Photographs, audio recordings and moving pictures or video recordings, documenting what happened.

What are secondary sources? A secondary source is a work that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. Examples of secondary sources: Reference Books History Textbooks General Historical Works Journal Articles

Can you tell the difference? View the following video clip on Vietnam by selecting the link below. On your handout, state if the source is primary or secondary and describe why. Vietnam Veterans Reunite

Step #3 – Location and Access Where will I find these sources? School Library A great place to start. At your own school, you will find: Encyclopedias History textbooks General historical works Access to the Internet Magazine articles (Discus)

Public Library You'll find a greater selection of resources here, and possibly access to excellent sources through interlibrary loan. Ask at the circulation or reference desks about interlibrary loan, which is a way to borrow books or even microfilm from libraries all over the country. At a public library, you can find: Additional reference books General historical works Internet access Video documentaries Special collections and original historical documents

Primary source information can be found online. You will be receiving a list of Internet sites from your media specialist. Some sample sites are as follows: National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections 19 th century magazines – For Images - ml ml

Step #4 Use of Information How will I record the information that I find? Take notes on cards or paper Print out handouts or pages online Record information into a tape recorder or use a video or digital camera

Remember that when you begin using information from your sources, you must include information that supports your theme - Triumph and Tragedy. You are NOT writing a biography or retelling a historical event. You are emphasizing how communication impacted a person’s life or the event you are researching.

How will you give credit to your sources? There are many online sites that will help you with documenting and citing sources. These are only a few. Refer to the handout given! Cite Sources: project.com/citation_machine/index.php Electronic sources:

You will also provide an annotated bibliography to document the sources you have used. An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief description of the material. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.

Step #5: Synthesis (Putting It All Together) How will I show my results? Process Paper: First section should explain how you chose your topic. Second section should explain how you conducted your research. Third section should explain how you selected your presentation category and created your project. Fourth section should explain how your project relates to the NHD theme.

Your exhibition Students create imaginative exhibits, original performances, documentaries, and papers related to an annual National History Day theme.

How much time do I need to find my information and create my final project? My topic should be chosen by: My information searching should be completed by: My paper and exhibition is due:

Step #6: Evaluation - How will I know if I have done my best? Check out the student guidelines for the National History Day Project for information regarding your process paper or an exhibition. Guidelines

Remember to ask your teacher or media specialist for assistance when needed. Good luck and have fun completing your project!