Historical Method Review

Identify issue to be investigated Look at primary and secondary sources

Primary source Sources recorded at time of event

Secondary Sources recorded after the event

1. Preliminary Research

An hypothesis is:A proposed explanation (guess) for some

event or problemA temporary working model of what might

have happenedBased on evidence and supposition

Think of – “if this happened, then…” Keep an open mind

2. Formulate a working hypothesis

Evidence will either support or reject your hypothesis

Questions you should ask:When was the source, written or unwritten,

produced? Where was it produced? By whom was it produced? From what pre-existing material was it

produced?In what original form was it produced?What is the evidential value of its contents?

3. Research for evidence

To find out if your evidence is authenticNOVA | The Viking Deception | Famous Fakes | PBSDoctored Photos – all taken from Murano,

Grace. (2009). Ten most famous doctored photos. Odee.com. Retrieved from http://www.oddee.com/item_96803.aspx

To find out if the source is competent and unbiased

To find out if the source is credible

Why you should ask these questions

Unconscious a personal letter reflecting intolerance of a

religious groupDeliberate (propaganda)

A government-sponsored health promotionWar time posters

Love, Hate and Propaganda: Propaganda Posters Gallery - Documentaries | CBC

Informed biasA research paper showing the effects of a drug

studyDiscovering your own bias

Three types of bias

Thesis statement = conclusion that has been objectively reached using the research evidence

5. Reconstruct the past Write or tell about your research, findings

and conclusion

4. Formulate your thesis statement