Historical research involves systematically collecting and evaluating data to describe and explain past events in order to understand them. It aims to learn from history to apply lessons to present problems and make predictions. Historical research uses primary sources like eyewitness accounts and objects from the past as well as secondary sources. The research process includes formulating a problem, gathering and criticizing sources, analyzing data through methods like coding, and interpreting findings. While historical research provides insights into the past, it also has limitations like potential for bias and an incomplete view.

1. Dandu Harish
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HISTORICAL
RESEARCH

2. What is History…?
 The study of the past, particularly how it relates to humans
 It is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the memory,
discovery, collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation of
information about these events
 The word history originally means the search for knowledge and truth
Definition of Historical Research

3. What is Historical research…?
 Systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain,
and thereby understand actions or events that occurred sometime
in the past
 Historical investigations help broaden our experiences and make
us more understanding and appreciative of our human nature and
uniqueness
 No manipulation or control of variables and primarily focuses in
the past

4. Purpose of Historical Research
 To make people aware of what has happened in the past in order to:
◦ Learn from past failures and successes
◦ Apply them to present-day problems
◦ Make predictions
◦ Test hypotheses concerning relationships or trends
◦ Understand present educational practices and policies more fully

5. Characteristics of Historical Research
 Present historical investigations primarily aim for critical search for truth
 The aim of contemporary history is to conceptualize, contextualize and historici
ze – to explain
 In making your historical report the actual events and the conditions of the time
are not violated, exaggerated or distorted
 It is a flowing, vibrant report of past events which involves an analysis and expl
anation of these occurrences with the objective of recapturing the nuances, perso
nalities and ideas that influenced these events
 Conducting historical research involves the process of collecting and reading the
research material collected and writing the manuscript from the data collected

6. Steps/ Methods of Historical Research
1. Formulating your problem
There are several motivations for undertaking a historical research
 One of these is your doubt about some event,development or experienc
e in the past
 Another source of your problem maybe a question regarding an old int
erpretation of an existing data;you may want to evolve a new hypothes
is which will offer a more satisfactory explanation of past events
 Comparison of events in different periods, different societies, or differ
ent civilizations

7. Steps Con…
2. Gathering of Source Materials
One of the important initial tasks as a historical resear
cher is the gathering of the best available data to solve your pr
oblem
It is necessary at this point to be familiar to the differe
nt types of historical sources which you may avail of as you co
nduct your data collection

8. Types of Data
Historical sources maybe classified as primary or secondary
A Primary source is regarded as the source of the “best evidenc
e”. This is because the data come from the testimony of able eye and ear
witnesses to past events. They may also consist of actual objects in the pa
st which you can directly scrutinize or examine
Secondary sources, on the other hand are information supply
who was not a direct observer or participant of the event, object, or condit
ion

9. Conti…

10. Conti…
3. Criticizing your source materials

11. Conti…
4. Data Analysis
Historical researchers use the following methods to make sense out of
large amounts of data:
◦ Theoretical model leading to a content analysis
◦ Use of patterns or themes
◦ Coding system
◦ Quantitative data to validate interpretations

12. Merits and De-Merits of Historical Research
Merits:
 It is the only research method that can be study evidence from the past
 It can make use of a wider range of evidence than most other methods
 History also depends on valuable materials which are difficult to preserve
De- Merits:
 The possibility of bias
 Requires much more than digging up good material
 Historical research can only give a fractional view of the past

13. End