Historical-Comparative
Research
Neuman and Robson Ch. 14
Value of Historical Research
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It throws light on present and future trends.
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It enables understanding of and solutions to
contemporary problems to be sought in the past.
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It can illuminate the effects of key interactions within a
culture or sub-culture.
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It allows for the revaluation of data in relation to
selected hypotheses, theories and generalizations that
are presently held about the past and the present.
Steps in a Historical-Comparative
Research Project
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1. Conceptualization of an idea, topic, or
research question
2. Locate evidence and do background
literature review
3. Evaluate evidence
4. Organize evidence
5. Synthesize evidence and develop general
explanatory model
6. Develop a narrative exposition of the
findings
Data Sources
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Primary Sources:
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Secondary Sources:
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second-hand observation, i.e. the author collected
the data from eyewitnesses.
Running Records
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first-hand or eyewitness observations of
phenomenon
Statistics, gov’t data
Recollections
What is Oral History?
 Video
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clip:
The Oral History Research Method
Oral History
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Oral history interviewing is valuable for history,
anthropology, and folklore.
Collects information about the past from observers
and participants in that past.
Gathers data not available in written records about
events, people, decisions, and processes.
Can show how individual values and actions shaped
the past, and how the past shapes present-day
values and actions.
Methodological problem:

Oral history interviews are grounded in memory, and
memory is a subjective instrument for recording the past,
always shaped by the present moment and the individual
psyche.
Why Collect Oral Histories?

Listen to Ann Nixon Cooper (104 years old)
and her recollections of the American south
and “the Jim Crow days”
Evaluating Sources
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External Criticism:
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Appraises the authenticity and authorship of the
data source
Internal Criticism:
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Appraises the meaning and intent of the data
source
Types Of Historical Research
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A. Historical Events Research
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examines particular events or processes that
occurred over short spans of time
Methodological problems
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Meanings may have changed
Information may not be complete
Types (cont.)
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B. Historical Process Research
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focus on how and why a series of events unfolded
over some period of time
Methodological problems:
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May place too much emphasis on the actions and
decisions of particular actors
Not always clear which example represents general
pattern
definitions may change over time
relies on long-term records and archives
Types (cont.)
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C. Cross-Sectional Comparative Research
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comparing two or more social settings or groups
(usually countries) at one particular point in time
Methodological problems:
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comparability of measures across countries
Types (cont.)
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D. Comparative Historical Research
combines historical process research
and cross-sectional comparative research
 To understand causal processes at work within
particular groups and to identify general historical
patterns across groups
 Methodological problems:
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history has not been recorded accurately or reliably
difficult to know how to deal with exceptions
difficult to conclude that one factor (and not others) is
what causes some outcome
groups being compared may not be independent
(Galton’s Problem)
Equivalence in Historical
Research
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How can we make comparisons across
diverse contexts (both in time and
geography)?
Lexicon equivalence
Contextual equivalence
Conceptual equivalence
Measurement equivalence
Weaknesses of Historical Method
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1. Bias in interpreting historical sources.
2. Interpreting sources is very time
consuming.
3. Sources of historical materials may be
problematic
4. Lack of control over external variables
Strengths of Historical Method
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1. The historical method is unobtrusive
2. The historical method is well suited for
trend analysis.
3. There is no possibility of researchersubject interaction.
Interesting Internet Sites on
Historical Research
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Multimedia History Tutorials at U. of Calgary
http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/
Where To Do Historical Research (Links)
http://www.wheretodoresearch.com/History.htm
History On-Line
http://www.ihrinfo.ac.uk/search/welcome.html
University of Washington History Site
http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/History/
Oral History Digital Collection Youngstown State U.
http://www.maag.ysu.edu/oralhistory/oral_hist.html
Oral History Project List Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/oral/projects.html