The Historical Method

1
The Historical Method

• Chapter 6

2
Definition and Purpose

• Historical research the systematic collection
  and objective evaluation of data related to past
  occurrences in order to test hypothesis

3

• Steps to historical research
• Definition of a problem
• Formulation of hypotheses
• Systematic collection of data
• Objective evaluation
• Confirmation or disconfirmation of hypotheses

4
Interpretation

• We need to define a question or problem before
  doing research and data collection in order to be
  systematic, objective and include all possible
  sources of information.

5
Definition of a Problem

• The purpose of a historical research to explain
  or predict
• Limited to whatever data are already available
• Better to study in depth a well defined problem
  with specific hypothesis, than to investigate a
  too-broadly stated problem, or one which
  insufficient data is available

6
Data Collection

• The review of related literature and study
  procedures are part of the same process
• Literature all sorts of written communication

7

• Written communication can be legal documents,
  records, minutes of meetings, letters
• In education might involve interviews

8

• Primary sources firsthand information
• Original documents
• Reports by participants
• Direct observers
• Secondary sources second hand information
• Reference books
• Reports by relatives of participants or observers

9
Data Analysis External and Criticism

• All sources of historical data as subjected to
  analysis to
• determine its authenticity (external)
• accuracy (internal)

10
When determining the accuracy must consider four
factors

• Knowledge and competence of the author
• Time delay between the occurrence and recording
  of events
• Biases of author
• Consistency of data

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Data Synthesis

• Historical data should be organized and
  synthesized (put all the pieces together) and
  conclusions and generalizations drawn

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• Summarization of historical research data
  involves logical analysis rather than statistical
  analysis, the researcher must take care to be as
  objective as possible
• ensure that all sources are considered not only
  those that support the hypothesis

13
Confirmation or Disconfirmation of Hypothesis

• when evaluating your analysis and sources, you
  may discover that you may not confirm your
  hypothesis, but create new possible questions for
  further study

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Guidelines of Writing the Historical Research
Report

• State your own argument or question early and
  your interpretations of your research results
• Provide examples to support your findings to
  provide validity for your interpretation

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• Provide an objective overview of the topic that
  includes other interpretations that may differ
  from your own but also show why your
  interpretation, using data is new or unique.
• Point out any possible unsubstantiated sections
  of your interpretation in order to present
  yourself as an objective and credible researcher
  and suggest that it merits further investigation.
  

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SOURCES

• Gay, L.R. (1992) Education Research. Chapter 6.
  New York McMillan Publishing.
• Leedy Ormond. (2001) Practical Research
  Planning and Design. Chapter 8. 8th Edition.