1. Historical-Comparative Research
Neuman and Robson Ch. 14

2. Value of Historical Research
It throws light on present and future trends.
It enables understanding of and solutions to contemporary problems to be sought in the past.
It can illuminate the effects of key interactions within a culture or sub-culture.
It allows for the revaluation of data in relation to selected hypotheses, theories and generalizations that are presently held about the past and the present.

3. Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project
1. Conceptualization of an idea, topic, or research question
2. Locate evidence and do background literature review
3. Evaluate evidence
4. Organize evidence
5. Synthesize evidence and develop general explanatory model
6. Develop a narrative exposition of the findings

4. Data Sources Primary Sources: Secondary Sources: Running Records
first-hand or eyewitness observations of phenomenon
Secondary Sources:
second-hand observation, i.e. the author collected the data from eyewitnesses.
Running Records
Statistics, gov’t data
Recollections

5. What is Oral History?
Video clip:
The Oral History Research Method

6. Oral History
Oral history interviewing is valuable for history, anthropology, and folklore.
Collects information about the past from observers and participants in that past.
Gathers data not available in written records about events, people, decisions, and processes.
Can show how individual values and actions shaped the past, and how the past shapes present-day values and actions.
Methodological problem:
Oral history interviews are grounded in memory, and memory is a subjective instrument for recording the past, always shaped by the present moment and the individual psyche.

7. Why Collect Oral Histories?
Listen to Ann Nixon Cooper (104 years old) and her recollections of the American south and “the Jim Crow days”

8. Evaluating Sources External Criticism: Internal Criticism:
Appraises the authenticity and authorship of the data source
Internal Criticism:
Appraises the meaning and intent of the data source

9. 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
Information may not be complete

10. Types (cont.) 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

11. Types (cont.) 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

12. Types (cont.) 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)

13. Equivalence in Historical Research
How can we make comparisons across diverse contexts (both in time and geography)?
Lexicon equivalence
Contextual equivalence
Conceptual equivalence
Measurement equivalence

14. Weaknesses of Historical Method
1. Bias in interpreting historical sources.
2. Interpreting sources is very time consuming.
3. Sources of historical materials may be problematic
4. Lack of control over external variables

15. Strengths of Historical Method
1. The historical method is unobtrusive
2. The historical method is well suited for trend analysis.
3. There is no possibility of researcher-subject interaction.

16. Interesting Internet Sites on Historical Research
Multimedia History Tutorials at U. of Calgary
Where To Do Historical Research (Links)
History On-Line
University of Washington History Site
Oral History Digital Collection Youngstown State U.
Oral History Project List Columbia University