Students Learn Advanced Historical Research Methods in Upper School Classroom

St. Margaret’s senior Sydney Brinker brainstormed her topic and began the earliest steps of the research process back in September, as she prepared a detailed paper on the evolution of the dark web for the Upper School’s introduction to historical research class.

By the time she finished her paper six months later, it was 11,000 words and cited 51 sources in her bibliography, a combination of scholarly journals, books, technology magazines and reputable websites.

“I figured most of our time would be spent writing the actual paper, when in reality I spent more time taking notes on other people’s research relating to my topic,” Sydney said. “That was absolutely necessary in order for me to acquire the in-depth knowledge I now have.”

The class, taught by Library Media Teacher Stacey von Winckelmann and Assistant Principal James Harris, provides students a closer look at the meticulous work done by historians, and prepares students for future research at the college level and beyond. The curriculum focuses heavily on developing those skills; students learn how databases are constructed, how to critically evaluate sources, and how to organize research proposals and annotated bibliographies.

“It’s no secret that research skills are a critical component of college success,” Mr. Harris said. “This class provides students with the in-depth tools and research methods that will serve them well in the future.”

Early in the process of their lengthy research paper, the class visited the Langson Library Special Collections room at the University of California, Irvine to learn about the facilities and pick up more insight on college-level research.

Once the research papers are completed, they will be submitted for consideration to The Concord Review, the only quarterly journal in the world to publish the academic research papers of secondary students. Mr. Harris and Mrs. von Winckelmann reached out to the founder of The Concord Review to make sure the students’ papers fit with the parameters required of the journal. The papers must be a minimum of 3,500 words and cite at least 13 sources.

Along with Sydney’s closer look of the dark web, focusing specifically on U.S. government intervention, emerging technologies and possible solutions for the future, students in the class are also exploring the history of eugenics in the U.S., the historical political influence of soccer in Africa, Europe and South America, the effects of the U.S. Civil War in Great Britain, and the anti-slavery stance of founding father Alexander Hamilton.

In addition to written research, the class is also working on an oral history project. The students visited the San Juan Historical Society and will be conducting interviews with elderly San Juan Capistrano residents with an intriguing story to tell. The students will present on their experience with the interview subject and a transcript of the interview will be submitted for the San Juan Historical Society’s records.