1. Chapter 10
Historical Research

2. Historical Research Study of the meaning of events
Accumulation and interpretation of facts
Factually supported rationale to explain how and why events happened

3. Data Sources Primary sources
Original data that appear at the time of or soon after the event under study
Letters, diaries, sermons, laws, census reports, etc.
Narrative/oral histories and interview data

4. Data Sources Secondary sources
Works of historians who have interpreted and written about primary sources
Newspaper accounts
Books and pamphlets
Government records

5. Finding and Handling Historical Records
Have a specific plan for acquisition, organization, storage, and retrieval of data
Archival collections may allow some form of reproduction (camera, photocopies)
Online databases are often accessible

6. Evaluating and Interpreting Historical Data
Review the data sources for:
External evidence: Is an artifact or document authentic
Carbon dating, handwriting analysis, identification of the type of ink and paper, vocabulary usage
Internal evidence: Does the source contain some clue to its creator’s intent

7. Other Forms of Historical Research
Psychological and conceptual research
Concerned with the origin, development, and influence of ideas and concepts
Searching for roots
Focused backwards, looking for potential causal factors

8. Writing a Historical Research Report
State your own argument early
Provide examples to support any assertion that you make
Give the fairest possible treatment of any perspectives that differ from your own
Point out the weaknesses of your own argument