1. Historical Research

2. 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.

3. Definition of Research...An unusually stubborn and persisting effort to think straight which involves the gathering and intelligent use of data. Hamblin, H. (1966). What is research? American Vocational Journal, 41(6), 14-16.

4. Definition of Data Information especially information organized for analysis or used as a basis for a decision. The American Heritage Dictionary. Second College Edition. (1985). Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company.

5. Purposes v Place events in logical sequence. v Determine activities surrounding an event. v Preserve information that would otherwise be lost. v Answer why. v Make public information that has not been shared. v Have implications for the present and future.

6. Idiosyncrasies v Re-search. v The only thing certain is the past. v All researchers who follow the scientific method are historians (chapter ii of a dissertation or thesis is past tense.) v The older the information, the more precious and valuable it is.

7. Characteristics of Historical Researchers v Persistent v Patient v Non-allergic v Keeper

8. Historical Research Steps v Isolate the problem. v Collect source materials. –Primary –Secondary v Evaluate source materials. v Formulate hypothesis. v Report and interpret findings.

9. Sources of Information v Primary sources – Eye or ear witness – Original objects v Secondary sources – Copies of objects – Second hand information

10. Primary Sources of Information v Original documents v Relics v Remains v Artifacts

11. Secondary Sources of Information v Textbooks v Encyclopedias v Newspapers v Periodicals v Reviews of research and other references

12. External Criticism

13. v Does the language and writing style conform to the period in question and is it typical of other work done by the author? v Is there evidence that the author exhibits ignorance of things or events that she/he should have known? v Did the author report things, events or places that could not have been known during that period?

14. External Criticism v Has the original manuscript been altered either intentionally or unintentionally by copying? v Is the document an original or draft copy? If it is a copy, was it reproduced in the exact words of the original? v If manuscript is undated or the author unknown, are there any clues internally as its origin?

15. Internal Criticism

16. v What was meant by the author by each word and statement? v How much credibility can the author’s be given? v What was the author trying to say? v How could the author’s words be interpreted?