Planning the Historical Research Paper: An Overview by Dr. Brian EbieBrian Ebie
Brian Ebie presents a fun look at an introduction to writing a historical research paper in education. Offering insights into basic points to consider before beginning the paper; data collection, and data analysis, this SlideShare will help the beginning researcher address the needs at the outset of the project. With a little help from Dr. Henry (Indiana) Jones, Jr. You'll enjoy this romp through paper writing.
Qualitative content analysis in Media PsychologyJenna Condie
Qualitative Content Analysis session for MSc Media Psychology students at the University of Salford.
The aim of the session is to consider knowledge and research on a continuum from positivist to interpretivist, realist to relativist, quantitative to qualitative. It's taken me the best part of four years to get a handle on my epistemological and ontological positions so I am hoping my 'pain' will be someone else's 'gain'. This is the first lecture where my PhD work is really showing its worth for my teaching. Would be interested to hear others thoughts on how to teach and learn qualitative research methods.
A further aim is to expand what we consider to be 'data' and think about how we can generate new knowledge about new media in innovative and creative ways. Sometimes the more traditional methods don't translate very well to contemporary issues. The session therefore introduces the concept of researcher-as-bricoleur.
As an exercise to develop our interpretative skills, Plan B's ill Manors track will be analysed in the session from different perspectives. We will start with the text, then listen to the song, then watch the music video, then see the trailer to the film to build more complex interpretations of Plan Bs work and consider its relationship to the 'real world'. Hopefully the session will work will:)
Planning the Historical Research Paper: An Overview by Dr. Brian EbieBrian Ebie
Brian Ebie presents a fun look at an introduction to writing a historical research paper in education. Offering insights into basic points to consider before beginning the paper; data collection, and data analysis, this SlideShare will help the beginning researcher address the needs at the outset of the project. With a little help from Dr. Henry (Indiana) Jones, Jr. You'll enjoy this romp through paper writing.
Qualitative content analysis in Media PsychologyJenna Condie
Qualitative Content Analysis session for MSc Media Psychology students at the University of Salford.
The aim of the session is to consider knowledge and research on a continuum from positivist to interpretivist, realist to relativist, quantitative to qualitative. It's taken me the best part of four years to get a handle on my epistemological and ontological positions so I am hoping my 'pain' will be someone else's 'gain'. This is the first lecture where my PhD work is really showing its worth for my teaching. Would be interested to hear others thoughts on how to teach and learn qualitative research methods.
A further aim is to expand what we consider to be 'data' and think about how we can generate new knowledge about new media in innovative and creative ways. Sometimes the more traditional methods don't translate very well to contemporary issues. The session therefore introduces the concept of researcher-as-bricoleur.
As an exercise to develop our interpretative skills, Plan B's ill Manors track will be analysed in the session from different perspectives. We will start with the text, then listen to the song, then watch the music video, then see the trailer to the film to build more complex interpretations of Plan Bs work and consider its relationship to the 'real world'. Hopefully the session will work will:)
Historical Research is the systematic and objective evaluation and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and draw conclusions about past events.
Definition of Historical Research
View on Values of H. Research
Questions Pursued in H. Research
Characteristics of H. Research
Steps in Conducting H. Research
Strengths and Limitations of H. Research
Sample Study
Rev. 0319 General Education Common Graded Assignment H.docxaudeleypearl
Rev. 03/19
General Education Common Graded Assignment: History 111-History of the United States I
Primary Source Analysis
HIST 111 – History of the United States is a general education course designed to assist students in the
development of critical life skills. One of the goals of this assignment is to assess student competence for each
of these objectives:
I. Written and Oral Communication — examine a variety of primary and secondary sources of historical
information, which may include scholarly books and articles, websites and blogs, historical
documentaries, biographies, diaries, letters, newspapers, novels and statistical reports (CCO1);
II. Critical Analysis and Reasoning — identify the major concepts, events and issues that shaped the
history of the US and defined its place in the global community up to 1865 (CCO2);
IV. Information Literacy— find, evaluate, use and cite academic resources that assess historical research
(CCO7);
V. Scientific, Quantitative or Logical Reasoning – construct an historical argument that is based on the
logical presentation of specific historical facts and that analyzes the causal factors of a historical event or
process (CCO3);
VI. Local and Global Diversity — determine the role that religion, race, class, gender, and ethnicity play in
influencing US domestic and foreign policy to 1865 (CCO5);
In addition to the above general education objectives, this assignment assesses students’ understanding and
application of the following skills and knowledge specific to United States History:
I. Analyze and interpret primary sources.
II. Locate and identify primary sources and assess their credibility and usefulness.
III. Place primary source materials in proper historical context using information gained in class.
IV. Demonstrate awareness of important events and concepts in US history.
V. Identify biases, distortions and inaccuracies in primary sources.
VI. Explain how a particular primary source can enhance our understanding of US history.
ASSIGNMENT:
For this assignment students will select a topic from a list provided by the instructor and use the WEB and/or
library databases to locate two (2) primary sources relating to their chosen topic. Students will then write a
cohesive essay analyzing and comparing the two sources and reflecting upon what these sources tell us about
the topic at hand and the study of history in general.
Primary Sources provide first-hand accounts of the events, practices, or conditions. In general, these are
documents that were created by the witnesses or first recorders of these events at about the time they
occurred, and include diaries, letters, reports, court decisions, speeches, photographs, newspaper articles, and
creative works – poems, novels, or political cartoons. Primary Sources form the base that supports historians’
reconstructions of the past. To use primary sources with confidence, historians ...
Freedom in America Paper Assignment Step 1 Pick a topic. WhSusanaFurman449
Freedom in America Paper Assignment
Step 1:
Pick a topic. What topic are you most interested in pertaining to this course? What is a topic you would be interested in writing a paper on? Your topic should not be too broad. For example, the Harlem Renaissance, is too broad. Focusing on a specific cause of the downfall of Reconstruction is a possible topic.
Step 2:
Research the internet and the library for primary sources, or first hand accounts of documents that relate to your topic. Analyze at least
at least ONE
primary source for your paper, you may use more than 1, but you must use at least 1.
Step 3:
Analyze.
When analyzing your document, thoroughly scrutinize the document, what it says, and the argument. Look through “
Guidelines for Analyzing a Primary Source
” (below) to help you come up with a complete analysis of your primary source(s).
Step 4:
Choose at least 4 books and/or articles
from the library or online journals from the library’s online databases. For journal articles, go to UD’s Library database section. For the databases section, articles on U.S. History can be found through Jstor and Project Muse.
*Do not use any encyclopedia sources or the class readings as a
secondary
source. If you use a website, it must be approved by the Instructor. You may use them as a reference, but these do not count towards your secondary sources.
Step 5:
Make sure you have a
thesis
statement
. This is the most important sentence in your paper. The thesis should be located in the first paragraph of your paper. The statement should be
concise
and not too broad. A thesis is the argument or point of view for your paper. It is something that you and someone else can
debate
. Your thesis statement should start out by stating something such as “This paper argues that...” The thesis statement is the statement that guides you throughout the paper. All of your main ideas should connect to your thesis statement.
1
Step 6:
Write your paper! Keep in mind the following:
1) Papers must be typewritten, double-spaced in 12 pt font, and 1-inch margins. Papers should be at least
5 full pages plus a Works Cited page (6 total)
and include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
2) You should have a well-articulated
thesis
. Formulate a central theme that links the primary source document(s) together and connects them to the secondary sources--the books and/or articles you use..
3) Use the "Guidelines for Analyzing Primary Sources" below as a guide. You do not have to answer every question, but be sure to answer the who/what/where/when/why of the document. Describe the audience for this document. Then move on to your own analysis....
4) Analyze your documents. What do they tell you about the cultures that created these stories? How do they enhance our knowledge beyond the course readings and material? Can you discern any deeper meanings beyond what is just on the page? What were the motivations for crea ...
Definition of Historical Method/Research
Characteristics of Historical Method/Research
Steps on How to Conduct Historical Method/Research
Strengths and Limitations of Historical Method/Research
Sample Study
Measures of Central Tendency-Mean, Median , Mode- Dr. Vikramjit SinghVikramjit Singh
This presentation discusses in details about different measures of central tendency like- mean, median, mode, Geometric Mean, Harmonic Mean and Weighted Mean.
Historical Research is the systematic and objective evaluation and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and draw conclusions about past events.
Definition of Historical Research
View on Values of H. Research
Questions Pursued in H. Research
Characteristics of H. Research
Steps in Conducting H. Research
Strengths and Limitations of H. Research
Sample Study
Rev. 0319 General Education Common Graded Assignment H.docxaudeleypearl
Rev. 03/19
General Education Common Graded Assignment: History 111-History of the United States I
Primary Source Analysis
HIST 111 – History of the United States is a general education course designed to assist students in the
development of critical life skills. One of the goals of this assignment is to assess student competence for each
of these objectives:
I. Written and Oral Communication — examine a variety of primary and secondary sources of historical
information, which may include scholarly books and articles, websites and blogs, historical
documentaries, biographies, diaries, letters, newspapers, novels and statistical reports (CCO1);
II. Critical Analysis and Reasoning — identify the major concepts, events and issues that shaped the
history of the US and defined its place in the global community up to 1865 (CCO2);
IV. Information Literacy— find, evaluate, use and cite academic resources that assess historical research
(CCO7);
V. Scientific, Quantitative or Logical Reasoning – construct an historical argument that is based on the
logical presentation of specific historical facts and that analyzes the causal factors of a historical event or
process (CCO3);
VI. Local and Global Diversity — determine the role that religion, race, class, gender, and ethnicity play in
influencing US domestic and foreign policy to 1865 (CCO5);
In addition to the above general education objectives, this assignment assesses students’ understanding and
application of the following skills and knowledge specific to United States History:
I. Analyze and interpret primary sources.
II. Locate and identify primary sources and assess their credibility and usefulness.
III. Place primary source materials in proper historical context using information gained in class.
IV. Demonstrate awareness of important events and concepts in US history.
V. Identify biases, distortions and inaccuracies in primary sources.
VI. Explain how a particular primary source can enhance our understanding of US history.
ASSIGNMENT:
For this assignment students will select a topic from a list provided by the instructor and use the WEB and/or
library databases to locate two (2) primary sources relating to their chosen topic. Students will then write a
cohesive essay analyzing and comparing the two sources and reflecting upon what these sources tell us about
the topic at hand and the study of history in general.
Primary Sources provide first-hand accounts of the events, practices, or conditions. In general, these are
documents that were created by the witnesses or first recorders of these events at about the time they
occurred, and include diaries, letters, reports, court decisions, speeches, photographs, newspaper articles, and
creative works – poems, novels, or political cartoons. Primary Sources form the base that supports historians’
reconstructions of the past. To use primary sources with confidence, historians ...
Freedom in America Paper Assignment Step 1 Pick a topic. WhSusanaFurman449
Freedom in America Paper Assignment
Step 1:
Pick a topic. What topic are you most interested in pertaining to this course? What is a topic you would be interested in writing a paper on? Your topic should not be too broad. For example, the Harlem Renaissance, is too broad. Focusing on a specific cause of the downfall of Reconstruction is a possible topic.
Step 2:
Research the internet and the library for primary sources, or first hand accounts of documents that relate to your topic. Analyze at least
at least ONE
primary source for your paper, you may use more than 1, but you must use at least 1.
Step 3:
Analyze.
When analyzing your document, thoroughly scrutinize the document, what it says, and the argument. Look through “
Guidelines for Analyzing a Primary Source
” (below) to help you come up with a complete analysis of your primary source(s).
Step 4:
Choose at least 4 books and/or articles
from the library or online journals from the library’s online databases. For journal articles, go to UD’s Library database section. For the databases section, articles on U.S. History can be found through Jstor and Project Muse.
*Do not use any encyclopedia sources or the class readings as a
secondary
source. If you use a website, it must be approved by the Instructor. You may use them as a reference, but these do not count towards your secondary sources.
Step 5:
Make sure you have a
thesis
statement
. This is the most important sentence in your paper. The thesis should be located in the first paragraph of your paper. The statement should be
concise
and not too broad. A thesis is the argument or point of view for your paper. It is something that you and someone else can
debate
. Your thesis statement should start out by stating something such as “This paper argues that...” The thesis statement is the statement that guides you throughout the paper. All of your main ideas should connect to your thesis statement.
1
Step 6:
Write your paper! Keep in mind the following:
1) Papers must be typewritten, double-spaced in 12 pt font, and 1-inch margins. Papers should be at least
5 full pages plus a Works Cited page (6 total)
and include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
2) You should have a well-articulated
thesis
. Formulate a central theme that links the primary source document(s) together and connects them to the secondary sources--the books and/or articles you use..
3) Use the "Guidelines for Analyzing Primary Sources" below as a guide. You do not have to answer every question, but be sure to answer the who/what/where/when/why of the document. Describe the audience for this document. Then move on to your own analysis....
4) Analyze your documents. What do they tell you about the cultures that created these stories? How do they enhance our knowledge beyond the course readings and material? Can you discern any deeper meanings beyond what is just on the page? What were the motivations for crea ...
Definition of Historical Method/Research
Characteristics of Historical Method/Research
Steps on How to Conduct Historical Method/Research
Strengths and Limitations of Historical Method/Research
Sample Study
Measures of Central Tendency-Mean, Median , Mode- Dr. Vikramjit SinghVikramjit Singh
This presentation discusses in details about different measures of central tendency like- mean, median, mode, Geometric Mean, Harmonic Mean and Weighted Mean.
This Slides presents different types of Parametric Test- like
T-test,
Parametric Test,
Assumption of Parametric Test,
Paired T Test,
One Sample T Test,
ANOVA,
ANCOVA,
Regression,
Two Way ANOVA,
Repeated Measure ANOVA,
Multiple Regression
Concept of Variables in Research by Vikramjit SinghVikramjit Singh
Different types of research variables have been explained here. Variables like Confounding Variables; Extraneous Variables; Intervening Variables; Independent Variables; Dependent Variables; Control Variables; Organisimic Variables; Criterion Variables; Predictive Variables; Study Variables; Categorical Variables; Discrete Variables; Ordinal Variables; Nominal Variables; Ratio Variables; Interval Variables; Dichotomous Variables etc.
This presentation deals with different characteristics of Research Tools its validity, reliability, Usability and other essential features of a good research tool.
Different Types of Research Tools , its uses and application has been explained here like on
Rating Scale,
Questionnaire,
Likert Scale,
Observation Schedule,
Interview Schedule,
Checklist,
Anecdotal Notes , Projective Techniques etc.
This document discusses different methods of sampling- probability sampling, and non-probability sampling. Under this sampling methods it also explain the details of sampling methods like- simple random sampling, cluster sampling, stratified random sampling, multi-stage sampling, systematic sampling, convenience sampling, quota sampling, snow-ball sampling, purposive sampling etc,. The document also suggests the characteristics of a good sample and precaution taken while doing sampling and interpretation on sample findings.
This Presentation Talks about Descriptive Research, Its types, How it is different from Experimental Study. It discusses about different types of survey research, cohort Studies , trend studies, longitudinal Study
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
1. Historical Research: Characteristics, Steps, Types and Uses
Historical Research
A. Definition and Areas of History
What is the first thing that comes in to your mind when you hear the word history? The word history
originally means the search for knowledge and truth.
• The systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain, and understand actions
or events that occurred sometime in the past.
• There is no manipulation or control of variables as in experimental research.
• An attempt is made to reconstruct what happened during a certain period of time as
completely and accurately as possible.
B. Views on the Value of Historical Research
Historical investigations help broaden our experiences and make us more understanding and
appreciative of our human nature and uniqueness. By knowing our past, we know the present
condition better.
C. Historical Research as a Modern Undertaking
Most of those who engaged in historical writing intended for the most part to entertain or to inspire
their readers. (Van Dalen, 1972). He considered history as somewhat aiming for truth. (Thucydides)
D. Characteristics of Contemporary Historical Researches and Purpose
Present historical investigations primarily aim for critical search for truth.In making your historical
report the actual events and the conditions of the time are not violated, exaggerated, or distorted.
The critical used by historians maybe useful in providing you the guidelines in your historical study.
You may use them to assist you to judge objectively the conditions which led to their results
of the studies undertaken previously.
• 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
E. 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 experience in the past.
● Another reason for a historical study may be your discovery of new source materials the
meaning of which will supply answers about past events when you make your
interpretations.
● Another source of your problem maybe a question regarding an old interpretation of an
existing data;you may want to evolve a new hypothesis which will offer a more satisfactory
explanation of past events.
You may have to take your time to look one by one at the important motives or reasons which
caused you to doubt or to get interested about certain gaps in knowledge in relation to past event or
experience. From here you may now draw a simple,clear,and a fairly complete description of your
problem.
2. Gathering your source materials
E-Content- Module 6- Research Methods and Statistics(Historical Research) Page 1
2. One of your important initial tasks as a historical researcher is the gathering of the best available data
to solve your problem. It is useful to look out for the many varied evidences of the activities engaged
in by people who lived in the past. It is necessary at this point to be familiar to the different types of
historical sources which you may avail of as you conduct your data collection.
A. Classifications of Historical Sources
Historical sources maybe classified as primary or secondary(Fox,1969)
A Primary source is regarded as the source of the “best evidence”.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 past which you can directly scrutinize or examine.
Secondary sources,on the other hand are informations supply who was not a direct observer or
participant of the event,object, or condition Another classification of historical sources is based on
whether the recording of the data was deliberate or inadvertent.
Deliberate sources provide data which have been recorded with the conscious effort to preserve
information (Fox,1969)
Inadvertent sources supply information also for your historical study even though that was not the
original intention of the source.
Good and Scates (1972) give two broad divisions which classify existing historical sources. These are:
(1) reports of events called documents, which are composed of impressions made on some human
brain by past events:these impressions have been consciously recorded with the aim of transmitting
information.
(2) Physical objects or written materials of historical value: these are called remains or relics and are
produced without deliberately aiming to impart information.
Van Dalen (1979) enumerates the types of historical records which may be available in written,
pictorial, and mechanical forms. These include official records, personal records, oral traditions,
pictorial records like photographs, paintings, sculpture, movies, microfilm, slides, and coins;
published materials like news papers, journals, pamphlets, literary and philosophical works and
periodicals; mechanical records like tape recordings of interviews and conferences, phonograph
records of speeches and reading activities; remains, which include physical remains, printed
materials, and hand written materials.
You now choose the evidence which is relevant to your problem.
B. Places where the sources are located
After the source materials have been classified and describe to you the next question will be “Where
are this material located?”
C. Systematizing your note-taking
This is necessary because of the presence of full bibliographical information in your notes system is
your basis for your proper documentation when you write your data in narrative form.
3. Criticizing your source materials
• 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
The terms external and internal refer to the purpose or objective of criticism and not to method or
procedure in dealing with the sources (Good and Scates, 1974)
A. External Criticism
External criticism involves finding out if the source material is genuine and if it possesses textual
integrity (Gay, 1972). There are several procedures which you can do to check the genuineness of the
source material.
E-Content- Module 6- Research Methods and Statistics(Historical Research) Page 2
3. The techniques you may do include authenticating signatures, chemically analyzing the paint, or
carbon-dating the artifacts. There are essentially two common tests that you will have to do in a
historical investigation.
1. Establishing authorship
2. establishing the place and date of publication of the source material.
Undoubtedly, you wanna check against forgeries, rule out plagiarism, pinpoint materials which are
not accurately identified, or put back a document to its original form.
B. Internal Criticism
To check on the meaning and trustworthiness of the data within the document. Much of your work in
internal criticism is textual criticism. However, your other concerns pertain to other factors like the
competence, good faith, position, and bias of the author.
1. Literal vs. the real meaning of the author's statement
The meaning of the many words in older documents is different from the meaning they have today.
Some words do not have the same meaning to all people. Different cultures and different eras have
different beliefs and attitudes about certain things.
Even in modern documents, the real meaning of a word or statement is difficult to ascertain
owing to allegory, use of symbolism, irony, satire, jests, allusions, hoaxes, implications, metaphor,
hyperboles and other rhetorical figures and literary ways of speaking.
2. Competence of the author or observer
There are several tests which you may use to determine the competence of an author.
These include his status as a trained observer or eyewitness, the extent to which his position for
making observation was favorable, to which memory was used after a lapse of time, and the use of
original sources. The current issues at the time he wrote the document, as well as the level of the
moral standards existing at the time will help you check his stand and convictions.
3. Testing for truthfulness and honesty
You may ask several questions to test the truthfulness and honesty of an author.
Was the author motivated by personal or vested interest in producing the material?
To what race, nationality, religion, ideology, social class, party, economic group, or profession did he
belong, which might led him to have biases and prejudices?
Was he writing seriously, ironically, humorously, or symbolically, or was he voicing his real
convictions?
Was he presenting the views of the establishment for public notice, using conventional language, to
write what he did not know or to conceal his own views?
Was there evidence of vanity or boasting by the author?
Did he make distortions, exaggerations, and embellishments, to achieve colorful effects?
A. Special problems in writing and interpreting your data
These problems include:
1. Determining the major problems to be aswered
2. using inductive reasoning
3. Formulating and testing your own hypothesis
4. Causation
5. Historical perspective
6. developing a guiding thesis or principles of synthesis
7. framing your generalization and conclusions
Types Of Historical Research
A. Historical Events Research
examines particular events or processes that occurred over short spans of time
Methodological problems
Meanings may have changed
E-Content- Module 6- Research Methods and Statistics(Historical Research) Page 3
4. Information may not be complete
B. Historical Process Research
focus on how and why a series of events unfolded over some period of time
Methodological problems:
May place too much emphasis on the actions and decisions of particular actors
Not always clear which example represents general pattern
definitions may change over time relies on long-term records and archives
C. Cross-Sectional Comparative Research
comparing two or more social settings or groups (usually countries) at one particular
point in time
Methodological problems:
comparability of measures across countries
D. Comparative Historical Research
combines historical process research and cross-sectional comparative research
To understand causal processes at work within particular groups and to identify
general historical patterns across groups
Methodological problems:
history has not been recorded accurately or reliably
difficult to know how to deal with exceptions
difficult to conclude that one factor (and not others) is what causes some
outcome
groups being compared may not be independent (Galton’s Problem)
F. Strengths and Limitations of Historical Research
Historical research can only give a fractional view of the past; its knowledge is never complete
and is derived from the surviving records of a limited number of past events.
History also depends on valuable materials which are difficult to preserve.
The historical method is unobtrusive
The historical method is well suited for trend analysis.
There is no possibility of researcher-subject interaction.
G. Weaknesses of Historical Method
Some scholars contend that history requires a different method and interpretation because of
its elusive subject matter – the past.
Another Weaknesses is the absence of the technical historical terminology in historical
research.
Bias in interpreting historical sources.
Interpreting sources is very time consuming.
Sources of historical materials may be problematic
Lack of control over external variables
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Historical Research
• Advantages
– Permits investigation of topics and questions that can be studied in no other fashion
– Can make use of more categories of evidence than most other methods (with the
exception of case studies and ethnographic studies)
–
• Disadvantages
– Cannot control for threats to internal validity
– Limitations are imposed due to the content analysis
– Researchers cannot ensure representation of the sample
E-Content- Module 6- Research Methods and Statistics(Historical Research) Page 4