HISTORICAL RESEARCH

DEFINITION
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.
The systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain, and understand
actions or events that occurred sometime in the past.
Focus on the past
Systematic process of gathering information concerning the historians question about
the past (SIR BASAL)

PURPOSES (three fold goals)

To make people aware of what has happened in the past in order to:
Learn from past failures and successes
Eg. Corporal Punishment vs No Punishment (child friendly school)
Punishment advisable for Smart People, Reinforcements for Slow learners
Reform or make connections
Assist in predictions

STEPS INVOLVED IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH

1. Define/ Identify the Historical Problem/ Topic
Types of Historical Problem
Histories of great men/ individuals- related to the development of todays
nation
Histories of educational institution- WVSU started June16, 1902 (part of
Philippine Normal School) 1924 granted an individual status
Histories of educational movement- movement initiated by certain people
for a certain purpose Humanistic movement vs Realistic movement
(practicalities)
Customs/ Tradition SU started June16, 1902 (part of Philippine Normal
School) 1924 granted an individual status
Current Social Issues
Reinterpretation of past events Phil-Am war (traitors vs patriotic
duties/freedom)
2. Locating relevant sources
Categories of Sources
Documents - Written or printed materials that have been produced in
some form or another. Eg. Textbooks, memo, agreements, treatise,
proceedings, newspapers
Numerical records- any type of numerical data in printed form. eg.
census
Oral Statements- stories or other forms of oral expression that leave a
record for future generations. Myths, stories, tales, legends, chants,
songs, interviews
Relics- any objects whose physical or visual characteristics can provide
some information about the past. Buildings (churches), furnitures,
PRIMARY VS SECONDARY
Primary source - one prepared by an individual who was a participant in
or a direct witness to the event being described.
Secondary source - 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.
3. Evaluation of historical sources Can be a compre question :D
Content analysis is a primary method of data analysis in historical research.
 External criticism refers to the genuineness/ authenticity of the
documents a researcher uses in a historical study.
Questions leading to Authenticity/
Genuineness
a. Authorship
b. Date of Publication/ Production of Material
c. Place of Publication
d. Material used
e. Form and Appearance

Internal criticism refers to the accuracy/ validity of the contents of

a document. Whereas external criticism has to do with the authenticity
of a document, internal criticism has to do with what the document
says.

Evaluating the Authenticity/

Genuineness
a. Qualification of the writer
b. Reputation/ Prestige
c. Orientation of author
d. Literal/ Real Meaning of Information Found in the Material
e. Affiliation of the author/ Background

Evaluate Historical Event

Criticism could locate Anomalies:

Incorrect Borrowings
Exaggerations
Hoaxes
Plagiarism

4. Synthesize Historical Facts
Chronological pattern
Thematic Pattern

5. Write Historical Report

Guidelines in Writing Historical Report
Prepare a working outline
Observe Progression
Emphasize major elements
Possess literacy excellence
Maintain the content

FEATURES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH
1. Could not give a complete view of the past
2. Historical materials and events are difficult to preserve
3. Subject to Prejudices and Biases
4. It is eclectic approach of events
5. Absence of technical team to expedite interpretations of historical events

COMMON MISTAKES IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Choose a problem area wherein there are no enough evidence for you to get
Tendency to rely on secondary sources
You work in a problem that is too broad or poorly defined
Historical evidence are poorly evaluated
Person bias that would affect research procedure
Failure to integrate/ synthesize historical facts into meaningful generalization