Historical Research Methods
History is the record of the changing processes. History consists of
changes which social structures undergo. Social scientists studies the
past to gain a better understanding of the present state of affairs.
History is the meaningful record of man’s achievement. It is not merely
a list of characteristics of chronological events, but an integrated
account of the relationship between persons, events, times and places.
John W. Best, “Man uses history to understand the past, and try
to understand the present in the light of past events and
developments.”
F.N. Kerlinger, “Historical research is the application of the
scientific method of inquiry to historical problems.”
Whitney, “Historical research deals with the past
experiences….its aim is to apply the method of reflective thinking of
social problems , still unsolved , by means of discovery of past trends of
event, fact and attitude. It traces the lines of development in human
thought and action in order to reach some basis for social activity.”
Redcliff Browne, “Historical method may be defined as a
system in which present day events are studied with reference to the
events that took place in the past.”
Historical method seeks to find explanation of questions of
current interest by an intensive study of the past. Many studies in the
field of economics, politics, sociology, education and psychology are
essentially historical in approach.
Purpose of Historical Research
(i) Historical researches provide important information concerning
the effects of certain past practices and may suggest plans for
future actions.
(ii) It also offers explanation of the how and why of many of the
theories and practices that has developed and now prevails in
the school/college.
(iii) It contributes to an understanding of the significance of the
phenomenon studied.
(iv) It helps to gain an accurate account of the past.
(v) It helps to gain a clear perspective of the present.
Sources of Historical Research
There are many sources for collection of historical data like;
Autobiographies, Diaries, Confessions, Memories, Personal letters,
Accessible documents, news-papers and literature, books and
Magazines, Cultural and Analytical history material, Artistic materials,
historical paintings, Portraits , charts etc.
These sources can be divided into two categories i.e. Primary
sources and Secondary sources.
Primary Sources
The original documents are termed as Primary sources. These are solid
basis of historical research and are highly prized by a historian.
According to Kerlinger, “A primary source is the only repository
of an historical datum, like an original record kept of an important
occasion, an eye witness description of an event, a photograph, minutes
of organization meeting and so on.”
(i) Document or records:
These are maintained and written by actual participant or witness of an
event. These sources are produced for the purpose of transmitting
information to be used in the future. Documents classified as primary
sources are constitution, charters, laws, court decisions, diaries, deeds,
genealogies, contracts, wills, autobiographies, letters, official minutes or
records, permits, licenses, affidavits, depositions, declarations,
proclamations certificates, lists, bills, handbills, receipts,
newspapers,magazines,accounts,maps,diagrams,books,pamphlets,catal
ogues,films,pictures,paintings,recordings,transcriptions and research
reports.
(ii) Remains or Relics:
These are associated with a person, group, period, fossils, skeletons,
tools, weapons, food utensils, clothing, buildings, furniture, coins, art
objects, pictures and paintings are examples of relics.
(iii) Oral Testimony:
These are spoken account of witness or participant in an event. It is
obtained in a personal interview. It may be recorded or transcript as the
witness relates his experiences.
Secondary Sources of Data
In the words of Kerlinger, “A secondary source is an account or record
of an historical event or circumstance one or more steps removed from
an original history.”
Secondary sources are the reports of a person who relates the
testimony of actual witness of, or participant in an event. The writer of
the secondary source who was not on the scene of the event, merely reports what the person who was there said or wrote. Most history
books and encyclopedias are the examples of secondary source.
Characteristics of Historical Method
(i) Historical method is universal.
(ii) Historical method involves very deep and intensive investigation
of material that already exists.
(iii) Historical facts cannot be repeated in an accurate fashion as can
be done in laboratory observation.
(iv) Only such problems which are based on historical records can be
investigated by following this approach.
(v) Historical approach to research is the application of scientific
method to historical problems.
(vi) In Historical Method hypothesis may or may not be formulated
depending upon the nature of the research.
(vii) The interpretation of data entirely depends upon the topic of
research
Approaches to Historical Method
1. Perspective Approach:
It means to study the events from the past towards present. It is
ancient approach. Ancient approach was to study the political
personality approach.
2. Retrospective Approach:
It means to study the events of present and proceed to past events. It is
a recent approach to study the phenomena in social milieu.
Types of Historical Research
(1) Approach:
An example is the pragmatic approach used by Karl max to arrange facts
of history to support his concept of socialism.
(2) Subject:
It includes the bibliography of a given person, monography of a town,
state, nation or civilization or slightly higher level the history of ideas,
institutions or trends.
(3) Technique:
It is based either on documents or relics.
(4) Classical studies
(5) Documentary research:
It considers only documents.
(6) Bibliographical research:
It includes history of a unit. (nation, person, culture)
(7) Legal Research
The Steps of Historical Research
(1) Identification and Definition of the Problem:
It involves not only the location of the problem , which has a historical
significance, but also the availability of adequate data.
(2) Collection of Data:
It may involve anything from digging up ancient ruins to stumbling on
old documents or remains. Most educational data have to be gathered
in the routine fashion by giving minutes of meetings, diaries etc. Data
are collected by two sources: primary or secondary.
(3) Criticism of Data:
The establishment of the validity of data involves a dual process, of first
establishing the authenticity of the sources and then the validity of its
content.
(4) Interpretation of Data:
This should be made from the standpoint of a hypothesis or theory of
the data. Data should be considered in relation to one another and
synthesized into a generalization or conclusion which places the overall
significance in focus.
Limitations of Historical Research
1. It is very difficult to study historical events on the basis of causeeffect relationship.
2. Many obstacles hinder the objectivity of the study.
3. The investigator must have a special historical perspective.
4. The importance of historical research has declined due to use of
scientific method in social sciences.
Guidelines of Historical Research
1. Primary sources should be used as extensively as possible.
2. Personal bias should not be allowed to influence research
procedure.
3. Proper recognition should be given to the inter-relationship of
education with other social institutions and forces.
4. Words and expressions should be interpreted in the light of
their usages in earlier times.
5. Various facts should be synthesized and integrated into
meaningful generalization.
6. Significant facts must be distinguished from trivial facts in a
situation.
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