HISTORICAL RESEARCH Mr.CHITHRAVEL ASST.PROFESSOR ACN

Chatrapati Shivaji

HISTORICAL RESEARCH Historical research is undertaken to answer questions concerning causes, effects or trends relating to past events that may shed light on the present practices or behavior. Historical research involves a systematic collection & a critical evaluation of data relating to past occurrences of a particular phenomenon

CHARACTERISTICS  Historical research focuses on a careful study & analysis of data about past events.  Historical research is a critical investigation of events, their development, & experiences of the past & a careful weighing of evidence of the validity of information of the past & interpretation of the evidence.

The purpose of historical research is to gain a clear understanding of the impact of the past on the present & future events related to the life process. It involves detailed analysis of what has been written or done & is used to describe, explain or interpret these events.

Historical research involves the review of written materials but many include oral documentation as well. Historical research relies on available data usually in the form of written narrative records of the past, diaries, letters, newspapers, minutes of meetings, reports etc.

The results of historical research studies contribute to a clear understanding of past, present or future events. Historical method of research also covers categories such as historical, legal, documentary, bibliographical, bio graphical, ideational, institutional & organizational Sources for historical research are hospital records, order sheets, purchases orders. Records are an economical & convenient source of information.

STEPS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH 1.DATA COLLECTION. 2.CRITICISM OF THE DATA. 3.PRESENTATION OF THE FACTS.

STEP I-DATA COLLECTION Comprehensive gathering of data is undertaken. Historical sources of data may either be PRIMARY or SECONDARY.

PRIMARY SOURCES Are first handed information. They include : remains or relic associated with persons, groups, periods or events. Fossils, skeletons, tools, weapons, utensils, clothing, buildings, furniture, pictures, paintings, coins & art objects.

Documents classified as primary sources are : characters, law, court rulings, official records, autobiographic letters, dairies, deeds, wills, licenses, declarations, certificates, bills, receipts, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, maps, inscriptions, diagrams, books, pamphlets, films, paintings, recordings, & research reports.

SECONDARY SOURCES The writer of the secondary source was not on the scene of the event. Secondary sources of data are usually limited worth because of the usual errors that results when information is passed on from one person to another. E.g.. History books.

STEP II- CRITICISM The second step necessitates a comprehensive review of gathered materials. The process of document review has a two pronged activity. 1.EXTERNAL CRITICISM. 2.IINTERNAL CRITICISM.

EXTERNAL CRITICISM Establishes the validity by determining the authenticity of the course. It is a preliminary & preparatory step, providing data to be used in the second phase known as internal criticism External criticism primarily deals with relating to form & appearances rather than meaning of contents. While internal criticism weighs the testimony of the document in relation to the truth.

INTERNAL CRITICISM Determines the reliability by correctly interpreting the contents of the document. The use of original, authentic sources; awareness of one’s own biases; the substantiation of the document in question by another collaborative sources are few safeguards used to ensure that interpretations are correct.

To ensure reliability, the researcher examines each document to make sure that the meaning of facts & statements was clearly understood. This process entails seeking collaboration with individuals who may have witnessed the events in question as well as determining the meaning of words, phrases & colloquialism unique to that time period. Once authenticity is established, the next step is to establish the validity of the contents & determine the accuracy of the statement

STEP III – PRESENTATION OF THE FACTS A well written history provides information on the conditions of the past. The writing of history demands a careful avoidance of the following facts. Over signifying of the facts.

Over generalization from insufficient evidence. Failure to establish difference between significant & trivial facts. Tendency to use secondary data. Personal bias. A dull & colourless style. Failure to interpret words & expressions in the light of their usage in earlier times.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Permits investigation of topics and questions that can be studied in no other fashion 1.Cannot control for threats to internal validity 2.Limitations are imposed due to the content analysis 3.Researchers cannot ensure representation of the sample

AREAS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH 1.PERIODS. 2.GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS. 3.MILITARY HISTORY

METHODS & TOOLS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH 1.CONTEMPORANEOUS CORROBORATION. 2.PHOTOGRAPHY. 3.HISTORICAL REVISIONISM. 4.CHANGE LOG. 5.HUMAN EVOLUTION 6.SOCIAL CHANGE

1.CONTEMPORANEOUS CORROBORATION : Is a further support provided by the existing evidences about the past events. 2.PHOTOGRAPHY: A methodological tool for the collection of all known information about individuals in a given period.

3.HISTORICAL REVISIONISM: Is a traditionally used tool in a completely natural sense to describe the work on idea of historian who has revised a previously accepted view of a particular topic. 4.CHANGE LOG: Log or record of changes made to a project, such as a website or software project. 5.HUMAN EVOLUTION : Process of change & development or evolution by which human beings emerged as a distinct special. 6. SOCIAL CHANGE : Studies change in the nature of institutions, the social behaviour or social relations.

EXAMPLE A researcher studying the medical records of 200 patients who had experienced cardiopulmonary arrest in hospital.