Historical Research

Definition of Terms

Historical research is most often associated with historiography as the primary research method. Historiography goes beyond data gathering to analyze and develop theoretical and holistic conclusions about historical events and periods. It includes a critical examination of sources, interpretation of data, and analysis that focuses on the narrative, interpretation, and use of valid and reliable evidence that supports the study conclusions. Although a historian studies history or may teach history, the historiographer writes, analyzes, and interprets history.

Stages in Historical Research Design

Historical researchers are often depicted as detectives, looking under many different stones for clues of existence rather than simply describing the appearance and location of the stones.

• 1.
  The first stage of a historical study is the identification of a researchable phenomenon and includes reading relevant literature, listening to present ideas about the phenomena, and even more important, reflecting on the researcher's interest. Before the researcher begins the formal search process, examining background information on the topic can provide valuable information in developing the focus of the study. The researcher then selects a particular time period, person, phenomena, or era related to the focus of the study.
• 2.
  The second stage involves developing hypotheses or research questions and identifying a theoretical perspective to guide the data collection process and interpretation of results. A theoretical framework can provide a guide for the historical study, both in data collection and analysis. Although some historians dispute the need for such a framework, most historiographers contend that a theoretical perspective helps the researcher focus and interpret historical events as recorded.
• 3.
  The third stage is the data exploration and collection stage, which can be the most time- and labor-intensive part of the research process depending on the subject and accessibility of data sources.
• 4.
  The fourth stage, following data collection, includes fact-checking, evaluation of the validity and reliability of data, and the analysis of evidence from each source. During this stage, the researcher evaluates the data, including the analysis and meaning of missing data, and forms generalizations. It is at this stage that the researcher answers the research question or accepts or rejects the hypotheses and forms conclusions.
• 5.
  The final stage of historical research involves the writing of the report in which findings are described along with their interpretation and which provides detailed supportive evidence in defense of the conclusions.

Data Collection

Historical researchers in their investigation of the past often treat data as “witnesses in a trial.” From this perspective, the historical method is more than the simple search for facts about the historical story. A historical investigation includes interpreting the meaning of events, which are analyzed based on the available of surviving data. Data sources can be primary sources in the form of documents, paintings, music or media, or they can be secondary resources, such as stories, literature of the era, and other accounts of the event or phenomena. All the data should be evaluated with a critical eye, using a variety of primary and secondary sources.

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