Historical Method

HISTORICAL METHOD  Published materials
HISTORICAL SOURCES   Books, magazines, journals,

HISTORICAL CRITICISM   Travelogue
  transcription of speech
 Manuscript [any handwritten or typed record
OUTLINE OF DISCUSSION that has not been printed]
I. History as Reconstruction   Archival materials
II. The Historical Method   Memoirs, diary
III. Historical Sources
[Written and Non-written; Primary and
Secondary]
IV. Historical Criticism [External and Internal]
INTRODUCTION: HISTORY AS
RECONSTRUCTION
 The historian is many times removed
from the events under investigation
 Historians rely on surviving records
HISTORY AS RECONSTRUCTION
  “Only a part of what was observed in the
past was WHAT ARE PRIMARY SOURCES?
 remembered by those who observed it;  Testimony of an eyewitness
  only a part of what was remembered  A primary source must have been
was recorded; produced by a contemporary of the event
  only a part of what was recorded has it narrates.
survived;  A primary source is a document or
  only a part of what has survived has physical object which was written or
come to the created during the time under study.
 historian’s attention.”  These sources were present during an
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History experience or time period and offer an
 “Only a part of what is credible has been inside view of a particular event.
grasped, and only a part of what has been  Primary sources are characterized by
grasped can be expounded or narrated by their content, regardless of whether they
the historian.” are available in original format, in
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History microfilm/microfiche, in digital format, or
in published format.
WHAT IS HISTORICAL METHOD?
 Historians have to verify sources, to date
them, locate their place of origin and
identify their intended functions.
 The process of critically examining and
analyzing the records and survivals of the past.
HISTORICAL SOURCES
 Sources
 are objects from the past or testimony
concerning the past on which historians depend
in order to create their own depiction of that WHAT ARE SECONDARY SOURCES?
past.  A secondary source interprets and
- Howell and Prevenier, From Reliable Sources analyzes primary sources. These sources
 an Introduction to Historical Method are one or more steps removed from the
 Tangible remains of the past event.
 Anthony Brundage, Going to Sources  Secondary sources may have pictures,
quotes or graphics of primary sources in
WRITTEN SOURCES them.
Examples: CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
 History textbook  considers specifically the time, place and
 Printed materials (serials, periodicals situation when the primary source was
which interprets previous research) written.
 The analysis as well includes the author’s
WHAT IS HISTORICAL CRITICISM? background, authority on the subject, and
 In order for a source to be used as intent perceptible, and its relevance and
evidence in history, basic matters about its meaning to people and society today.
form and content must be settled.
 External Criticism
 Internal Criticism
WHAT IS EXTERNAL CRITICISM?

 The problem of authenticity
 To spot fabricated, forged, faked
documents
 To distinguish a hoax or
misrepresentation
TESTS OF AUTHENTICITY
 Determine the date of the document to
see
 whether they are anachronistic
 e.g. pencils did not exist before the 16th
Century
 Determine the author
 e.g. handwriting, signature, seal
 Anachronistic style
  e.g. idiom, ortography, punctuation
 Anachronistic reference to events
  e.g. too early, too late, too remote
 Provenance or custody
  e.g. determines its genuineness
CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Content Analysis
 a systematic evaluation of the primary
source be it a text, painting, caricature,
and /or speech that in the process
students could develop and present an
argument based on their own
understanding of the evidences from their
readings.
 The students will identify pertinent

information from the text/ document and
explain its importance to their understanding
of history in the Philippine setting
Ayala Museum
Repositories of
Primary Sources Kinds of
National Archives of
the Philippines
Primary
National Library of
Sources
the Phils.
National Museum of Human fossils

the Philippines
National Historical
Artifacts
Commission of the Phils.
U.P. Main Library Royal Decrees &Laws

ADMU Rizal Library
DLSU Library Official Reports
UST Library
Library of Congress Chronicles

National Archives and
Records Administration
Friar accounts
Archivo General de
Indias
Archivo General de la
Nación
American Historical
Collection
Lopez Memorial
Museum
Memoirs
Personal Account

Historical Method

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HISTORICAL METHOD  Published materials

HISTORICAL SOURCES   Books, magazines, journals,

WHAT IS EXTERNAL CRITICISM?

CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

 The students will identify pertinent

National Museum of Human fossils

U.P. Main Library Royal Decrees &Laws

Library of Congress Chronicles

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