TYPES , SOURCES & COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Dear Students , Welcome to my new blog on Research Methodology on the topic Types , Sources and Collection of data in Historical Research

Learning Outcome

To understand the types of researches
To know about sources of data collection
Understand the concern topics in an easy way with the help of various ICT resources

Types of Historical Research

Bibliographic Research

It aims at determining and presenting truthfully the important facts about the life, character and achievements of important educators. It also makes it easy for a reader to find out more about your topic by delving into the research that you used to write your paper. It involves complex cognitive process such as analysis, synthesis and deduction. Its purpose is to construct knowledge. It supports the research that is being carried out at the same time allow to avoid carrying out studies already explored.

Legal Research

It aims to study the legal basis of educational institutions run by the different religions and castes, relation between central and state governments with regards to education legal status of teachers and students, administration of private aided schools, school finance, participation of students in the administration of universities etc.

Studying the history of ideas

It involves the tracing of major philosophical or scientific thoughts from their origins through their different stages of development.

Studying the history of institutions and organizations

Studying the history of some prominent schools, universities and other educational institutions also provide numerous problems for significant historical research.

Figure.1

We can use various graphical representations to demonstrate data in an easy and understandable way.

SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

Figure.2

Methods of primary and secondary data collection are represented in the image given below.

Primary Sources

A primary source is a document that contains the original statement on the topic being investigated by the researcher.
These contain evidence that is closest to the event under investigation as recounted by observers and participants.
Primary sources represent the data which lie closest to the historical event.
In most cases, primary sources are the written record of what Historical Research the writer actually observed or the first-hand expression of his or her thoughts
Thus, it is the direct outcome of the event or the record of eyewitnesses.
It bears direct involvement with the event being studied, such as diaries, letters, speeches, and an interview with the person who personally experienced the event, original map, etc.

Secondary Sources

A secondary source is the one derived or created from a primary source.
It reports events based on use of primary and other secondary sources as bases of data collection
These are considered less useful than primary sources

Examples of secondary sources are

Textbooks
Encyclopedias
Monographs
Articles in magazines

A copy of an original document is a secondary source as it may not be an authentic one. In copying from the original document, certain errors or omissions can occur intentionally or unintentionally. The original might get modified at the stage of copying through editing or interpretation.

Tertiary Sources

Include bibliographies, catalogues and indexes that guide a researcher to primary and secondary sources.

Table 1

A detailed information regarding sources are mentioned under the table.

	Primary Sources	Secondary Sources	Tertiary Sources
1	A document contains the original statement on the topic investigated by the researcher.	Derived or created from a primary source	Include bibliographies, catalogues and indexes that guide a researcher to primary and secondary sources
2	It represent the data which lie closest to the historical event	Less useful than primary sources
3	Direct outcome of the event	Secondary sources as bases of data collection