Historical research involves systematically collecting and evaluating past data to understand and explain past events and actions. It aims to reconstruct what happened in the past as accurately as possible without manipulating variables. There are different types of historical research focused on topics like institutions, influences, or ideas. The process involves identifying a topic, collecting and evaluating primary and secondary sources, interpreting data, and synthesizing conclusions. Historical research is important as it can provide context, uncover unknown events, study causes and effects, and help understand present situations by examining relationships between past and present.

1. HISTORICAL METHOD
HISTORY
Meaningful record of human achievement
RESEARCH
Formal, systematic application of scientific method to the study of problems (Gay and
Mills)
Historical Research
• 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.
• 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.
• Historical research involving analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent
past.
• Historical research has been defined as the systematic and objective location, evaluation
and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and draw conclusions about past
events.
• It involves a critical inquiry of a previous age with the aim of reconstructing a faithful
representation of the past.
Definitions
Historical research is “the systematic collection and objective evaluation of data related to past
occurrences in order to test hypotheses concerning causes, effects, or trends of those events which
may help to explain present events and anticipate future events”(Gay, 1981, p. 432).
According to Isaac and Michael, historical research involves reconstructing “the past systematically
and objectively by collecting, evaluating, verifying, and synthesizingevidence to establish facts and
reachdefensibleconclusions,ofteninrelationtoparticular hypotheses” (1981, p.44).
“Truehistoricalresearch,orhistoriography,isconcernedwithanalyzingandinterpretingthe meanings of
historicalevents.Itistheprocessbywhicharesearcherisabletoreacha conclusion as to probable truth
of an event in the past by studying objects availablefor observation in the present” (Goldhor, 1972,
p.98).
It may be considered, “as a scholarly attempt to discover what has happened” (Mouly,1978, p.157).
Historical research is “the process of systematically examining past events to give an account of what
has happened in the past” (Johnson, chapter 12, p.1).
EXAMPLE
How does a philosophy and religion shape a society?
Research question
¬ What impact did Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, etc. on the society?
¬ How was a religion text (Quran, Bible) is used to justify power, change etc.?
¬ What were the causes or impacts of the spread of political philosophy?
¬ How did a religion get adopted or change as it?
CHARACTERISTICS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
¬ It is not a mere accumulation of facts and data

2. ¬ It is a flowing, vibrant report of past events
¬ Collecting and reading the research material
¬ It deals with discovery of data
¬ It is analytical in that it uses logical induction.
¬ It has a variety of f foci such as issues, events, movement, concept.
TYPES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
According to Hillway (1964, p.159), there are six types of historical research as givenbelow:
• Biographical research;
• Historiesofinstitutionsandorganisations;
• Theinvestigation ofsourcesand influences;
• Editingandtranslatinghistoricaldocuments;
• Studying the history of ideas; and
• Compilingbibliographies.
The use of a particular type of research would depend upon the subject field of study and the nature
of inquiry being pursued. In actual practice, historians are adopting avariety of approaches.
The approach of a researcher to collection and interpretation of data is influenced by the fact as to
which school ofthought he belongsto,suchas providential perspective, newsocialhistory,narrative
mode,etc.Innewsocialhistory,socialscience–typeanalysisisused.Innarrative mode,emphasisison
how account is written.
THE PURPOSES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Historical research is carried out to serve the following purposes:
To reconstruct the past
Ahistorian reconstructs the past systematically and objectively, reaching at conclusions that can be
defended.
To discover unknown events
There are some historical events that occurred in the past that are not known. A historianseeks to
discover these unknown events.
To understand significance of events
There may be significant events that may be responsible for shaping an organisation/a movement/a
situation/anindividualbeingstudiedby ahistorian
To discover the context of an organisation/movement/the situation
In order to explore and explain the past, a historian aims to seek the context of anorganisation/a
movement/thesituationbeingstudied.
To find answers to questions about the past
There are many questions about the past, to which we would like to find answers.Knowing the
answers can enlighten us to develop an understanding of the past events.
To study cause – and effect relationship
There is a cause-and effect relationship between two events. A historian would like todetermine

3. such a relationship.
To study relationship between the past and the present
The past can often help us to get a better perspective about current events. Thus, a researcheraims
to identify the relationship between the past and thepresent, whereby; we can get a clear perspective
of the present (Mouly, 1978, p.158).
To record and evaluate the accomplishments of individuals, institutions andother
kinds of organisations.
Historians are greatly interested in recording and evaluation of the accomplishments ofleading
individuals and different kinds of organisations including institutions and agencies because these
influence historical events.
To provide understanding of the immediate phenomenon of concern
A researcher may be investigating a phenomenon. Historical perspective can enablehim to get a
good understanding of the immediate phenomenon of concern.
To understand the cultural context of libraries
Libraries as institutions form an important part of culture. Study of libraries enables us to understand
the culture responsible for the growth and development of libraries.
STEPS/PROCESS INVOLVED IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH
The process of conducting historical research is the same as for other kinds of researches.The process
involvesthefollowingsteps:
• Identification of research topic and formulation of the research problem;
• Collectionofbackgroundinformationorcontextualinformationabouttheresearch topic;
• Formulation of the questions to be answered or formulation of hypothesis(es) (if appropriate)
toexplain causal relationshipsbetween historical variables;
• Systematic collection of evidence or data or literature review;
• Rigorous evaluation of historical resources (the authenticity of the resources and validity of
theircontents);
• Interpretation;and
• Synthesis into a narrative account.
CATEGORIES OF SOURCES
• Documents
o Written or printed materials that have been produced in some form or another.
• Numerical records
o Considered as a separate type of source in and of themselves or as a subcategory
of documents.
• Oral Statements
o Are stories or other forms of oral expression that leave a record for future
generations.
• Relics
o Are any objects whose physical or visual characteristics can provide some
information about the past.

4. • Photographs
• Interviews.
Diplomas, cartoons, diaries, memoirs, newspapers, photos, yearbooks, memos, periodicals,
reports, files, attendance records, census reports, budgets, maps, and tests articles of clothing,
buildings, books, architectural plans, desks, or any other object that might provide useful
information about the past.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
• Primary source
o one prepared by an individual who was a participant in or a direct witness to the
event being described.
o Text Book
o Encyclopedia
o Biography
o Periodicals
o Other reference
• Secondary source
o a document prepared by an individual who was not a direct witness to an event,
but who obtained a description of the event from someone else.
o Documents
o Numerical records
o Oral statement
o Relics and Remains
o Artifacts
KEY DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
θ Surveys
θ Questionnaire
θ Panel questionnaire designs
θ Interviews
θ Experimental treatments
DATA ANALYSIS IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH
• Historical researchers use the following methods to make sense out of large amounts of
data:
o Theoretical model leading to a content analysis
o Use of patterns or themes
o Coding system
o Quantitative data to validate interpretations
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
• Advantages
o Permits investigation of topics and questions that can be studied in no other
fashion
• Disadvantages
o Cannot control for threats to internal validity
o Limitations are imposed due to the content analysis

5. o Researchers cannot ensure representation of the sample
SCOPES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
 General educational history of specific periods
 History of national education policies.
 History of the role of the teacher.
 History of specific types of education
 History of specific components of education
 History of admission processes in professional
 Historical biographies of major contributors to education
 Comparative history of education
 Historical study of the system
 History of teacher education.
 History of educational administration, finance, legislation, planning.
 Historical study of the relationship between politics and education.
PROBLEMS AND WEAKNESS TO BE AVOIDED IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH
♣ The researcher needs to synthesize facts into meaningful chronological patterns.
♣ The researcher needs to be aware of his/her own personal values.
♣ Adequate criticism of sources of historical data is essential.
HOW CAN HISTORICAL RESEARCH TELLS US ANYTHING ABOUT THE
PRESENT?
ϖ Historical research can show patterns
ϖ Understanding this can add perspective on how we examine current events and
educational practices.
ϖ It can also show us that we do not need to continually reinvent the wheel because we
should always start with what history tells us.
IMPORTANCE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION
¬ It enables educationists to find out solutions to temporary problems which have their
roots in the past.
¬ It throws light on present trends and can help in predicting future trends.
¬ It enables a researcher to re-evaluate data in relation to select hypothesis, theories
and generalizations that are presently held about the past.
¬ It enables us to understand how and why educational theories and practices
developed.
CRITICISM
(i) External Criticism of Data
ii) Internal Criticism of Data
MODEL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
1.Research Topic: Education during the first half of the fifteen century.
2.Research Question.
3.Data Collection.
4.Evaluation.
5.Data Synthesis.
6.Report Preparation.
CONCLUSION
A good historian always tries to adapt scientific approach to the best of his ability. The
job of a historian is quite difficult.