Handout. Sol Armoskaite. Adapted from Dr. Wayne Higby.
Overview: This framework helps students conceptualize research as a choice of perspective or “lens” that shapes how they interpret and discuss a topic. Each lens (e.g., artistic, economic, educational, historical) directs attention to different questions, types of evidence, and interpretive methods. The goal is to help students recognize that research does not occur in a vacuum but is focused and constrained by the lens through which they view their subject.
Uses: This system encourages rhetorical awareness and analytical depth by prompting students to think about how perspective affects argumentation. It helps them refine research questions, identify assumptions and biases, and understand disciplinary modes of inquiry.
How do I use it in class? Students review the handout and complete a table prior to class discussion.