HIST 2313: Project Guidance

Length: 2000 to 2,500 words (excluding bibliography and footnotes). Pick a partner or work alone

Pick an Area (such as air pollution) and then pick a Topic (such as air pollution at LUMS or air pollution in
the home). Then pick a Research Question.

The project can be based on secondary sources, or can be based on your own primary research, or a
mix.

Aim to use around 8 sources. But if you are using newspaper articles you might need more, say 10 or 12.

Group Project Outline (1 page): 3%

Group Project Presentation: 10%
Final Group Project: 30%

Examples Based on Primary Research:

Area Topic Research Question Sources

Air Pollution Air Pollution in What are the sources of air pollution at Use an air quality meter to
Homes home? measure air pollution in different
parts of homes at different times
of the day. Focus on 2 – 3 homes.
Water Shortages Water shortage How much and what types of water do Interviews of people from across
amongst people in households consume? How much is their social strata: poor, wealthy, etc.
Lahore water shortage? Why is there a water
shortage for them?
Extinctions The Indus River Why are the Indus River Dolphins dying Interviews with key environmental
Dolphins out? What are leading causes of this personnel
death, and why?

Examples Based on Secondary Research or Mixed Secondary/Primary Research:

Area Topic Research Question Sources

Deforestation Deforestation in What have been the driving factors Secondary books and research
Pakistan behind deforestation in Pakistan since articles, and newspaper articles.
1947? Also interviews with key experts.
Could also include a site study, e.g.
Bahria Town new Islamabad
Industrial Food The development of How and why did industrialized food Research articles and newspaper
Production the industrialization production develop in Pakistan? articles
of food in Pakistan
Consumerism Plastic Use in In what ways has plastic use increased in Research articles, and newspaper
and pollution - Pakistan Pakistan? What have been the driving articles. Also interviews with key
plastics factors behind the growth of plastic use in experts.
Pakistan?
Consumerism The Solution to Why is it so difficult to find solutions to Secondary books and research
and pollution - global plastic waste plastic waste, and what are the most articles, and newspaper articles.
plastics viable solutions
Extinctions The K-T Boundary Why did some animals survive and thrive Secondary books and articles
Extinction after the K-T Boundary Extinction Event
Deadlines:
Wed 2 Nov Decide on your partner, and prepare preliminary ideas on Area and Topic. E.g. you might pick an
Area, and then have one or two ideas for a Topic.

Mon 14 Nov Deadline to upload your Partner Name, Topic, and Research Question on LMS.

Mon 21 Nov Deadline to upload your Outline on LMS. Outline is 1 page, which describes your Research
Question, Key Arguments, Methodology, and Sources.

30 Nov – 7 Dec Powerpoint Presentations to class. 8 to 10 minutes max. Explaining your: Research Question, Key
Arguments, Methodology, Tentative Findings, and Sources.

16 Dec Deadline for project Submission.