H istorical method of research

Harsha E.C.

CUANLIS008

Calicut University

HISTORICAL METHOD

OF RESEARCH

Contents

Introduction

Purpose

Stages

Collection of data

Tips for collecting data

Source criticism

Example

Limitation

Conclusion

Introduction

Historical method is for to study the past

in order to understand the present and

may be plan the future

It is a system or right procedure for attainment

of historical truth

Also known as documentary method

purpose

Uncover the unknown

Answer question

It throws light on present and future trends

To learn how things were done in the past to see if they might be applicable to present day problems

To make people aware of what has happened in the past so, they may learn from past failure and success.

To assist interpretation

Stages

Identification of problem

Formulating hypothesis

Collection of data/fact

Evaluation of data( organizing data)

Interpretation of data

Conclusion

Decision making

Collection of data

Primary sources:-testimony of any eye witness ,

or of a senses by any other of the senses or of a

mechanical device like Dictaphone- Gottschalk

Documents-Annual reports

o Newspaper reports

o Personal diaries

o Autobiographies

Numerical records:-Attendance figures

o Census reports

o School budgets

Oral statement:-Stories, myths, tales, songs

Relics :- buildings, monuments,

equipments, skelton,fossils

photographs, coins

Continues…..

Secondary sources:- second hand information

Chance of errors due to passing of information

from one sources to another

E.g.:- Text books, biographies,encyclopadies,

reference book

Continues…..

An instance

If a man decided to do research related to 1st war

of Indian independence , he can collect primary

data from the participant of 1st war of Indian

independence.(he has direct physical relation to

that event, he is eyewitness)and he can collect

secondary data from the biography of that eye

witness or participant.

Tips for collecting data

At least by more than one source should normally be used for to avoid false information

Indication of the originality of the sources increases it’s reliability

Among many primary source or original sources, preference should be given to the one which is contemporary to the event or nearer in time to the period of the event under investigation

(if a researcher decided to do research relating to Malabar rebellion- 1921, he should accept data source, which is adjacent or nearest to the period 1921)

Source criticism

Garraghan divides source criticism in to 6 inquiries

When was the source , written or unwritten,

produced(date)

Where was it produced(localization)

By whom was it produced(authorship)

From what pre-existing material was it

produced(analysis)

In what original form was it produced(integrity)

What is the evidential value of its (content credibility)

External criticism

Determining the authenticity, validity, or trust

worthiness of the sources

Internal criticism

Determination of the reliability or accuracy of

the information contained in the source.

Example

Present education system in Kerala

Dropping out of school children in Kerala

Limitation

Historical method of research is limited to what ever data

are available

Collection of facts relating to very old event is a problem

, as sufficient data may not be available in such cases

Historical events are those taken place in the past, these

occur only once and can’t be reproduced or recreated for

experimentation

Invaders and rulers of different dynasties may

sometimes change the shape and originality of a

monument which may result in a faulty conclusion

Interpreting source is very time consuming

Source of historical materials may be

problematic

Any single evidence (document)can make the

entire research report vague

Historical writing may be biased

Continue……

Conclusion

Everything we always start from what history tell us

This is the only method that can study evidence from the past

Well suited for trend analysis

Unobtrusive in nature

Seven steps are there

Collection of data is the soul of it

Number of limitation are there, but is the only method study from past