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Historical Research. Historical Research. Historical research is a procedure supplementary to observation in which the researcher seeks to test the authenticity of the reports or observation made by others. Definition of Research.
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Historical Research • Historical research is a procedure supplementary to observation in which the researcher seeks to test the authenticity of the reports or observation made by others.
Definition of Research • ...An unusually stubborn and persisting effort to think straight which involves the gathering and intelligent use of data. • Hamblin, H. (1966). What is research? American Vocational Journal, 41(6), 14-16.
Definition of Data • Information especially information organized for analysis or used as a basis for a decision. • The American Heritage Dictionary. Second College Edition. (1985). Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company.
Purposes • Place events in logical sequence. • Determine activities surrounding an event. • Preserve information that would otherwise be lost. • Answer why. • Make public information that has not been shared. • Have implications for the present and future.
Idiosyncrasies • Re-search. • The only thing certain is the past. • All researchers who follow the scientific method are historians (chapter ii of a dissertation or thesis is past tense.) • The older the information, the more precious and valuable it is.
Characteristics of Historical Researchers • Persistent • Patient • Non-allergic • Keeper
Historical Research Steps • Isolate the problem. • Collect source materials. • Primary • Secondary • Evaluate source materials. • Formulate hypothesis. • Report and interpret findings.
Sources of Information • Primary sources • Eye or ear witness • Original objects • Secondary sources • Copies of objects • Second hand information
Primary Sources of Information • Original documents • Relics • Remains • Artifacts
Secondary Sources of Information • Textbooks • Encyclopedias • Newspapers • Periodicals • Reviews of research and other references
External Criticism • Does the language and writing style conform to the period in question and is it typical of other work done by the author? • Is there evidence that the author exhibits ignorance of things or events that she/he should have known? • Did the author report things, events or places that could not have been known during that period?
External Criticism • Has the original manuscript been altered either intentionally or unintentionally by copying? • Is the document an original or draft copy? If it is a copy, was it reproduced in the exact words of the original? • If manuscript is undated or the author unknown, are there any clues internally as its origin?
Internal Criticism • What was meant by the author by each word and statement? • How much credibility can the author’s be given? • What was the author trying to say? • How could the author’s words be interpreted?