To begin this section, post the class list of research questions on the chalkboard. Let student groups meet for about 10 minutes to review the social history topic they wish to pursue. You may wish to approve the research topics before groups proceed with their background research. Remind students that, after their background research, they will conduct oral history interviews of their own to gather information on their research topic. Have students log on to the section Background Research for Oral History Interviews , read the instructions, and begin their on-line searches.
Searches often turn up as many irrelevant as relevant documents.
Help students use detailed search words to narrow their results. Students are asked to find just two or three documents relevant to their research topic. They should be able to accomplish this task in one class period. When they have finished their searching, direct them to proceed to Guidelines for Oral History Interviews. Establish the due date for completion of interviews and for class presentations on research results.