Historical Research

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Information Competency Research for Group
Discussion

• John A. Cagle

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Asking the Right Questions

• Questions about basic facts What is (was) going
  on?
• Questions about definition What is it?
• Questions about evaluation How do you evaluate
  the facts and the definition?
• Questions about policy What should be done?

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Purpose of research

• To organize facts to understand the context of
  the problem
• To define body of facts to understand the nature
  of a problem
• To evaluate the facts of the problem in terms of
  certain criteria
• To propose a solution to a problem

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Problem question

• Research begins with stating the focal question
  you are trying to answer
• Initially, the problem question may be more
  general
• The problem question may be modified in light of
  information discovered and made more specific

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Things to consider

• Is problem adaptable to your competencies and
  resources?
• Is the problem significant?
• To what extent is information available on this
  question?

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What information is needed?

• What information is needed?
• Generate questions which arise from the problem
  question
• What kinds of information could provide answers
  to these questions?
• How can you get access to this information?

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Methodology

• Facts as they might be known at the time
• Documents any original written, auditory, or
  visual record
• E.g. government reports, newspaper article,
  transcript of a speech, diary, letter
• Interpretations blends facts from various
  sources into lucid and flowing narrative.

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Sources

• Primary material comes from original sources
• Secondary sources are compilations and
  interpretations of material from various sources

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Tests of evidence

• Was source in position to perceive the event?
  Freedom from bias?
• Was source intellectually capable to perceive it?
  Interpret it?
• Was evidence clear, concise, intelligible?
• Is evidence supported by evidence from other
  sources?

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Evaluating each source

• Relevant facts and content to research interest
• Authority and credibility of the source
  reliability
• Timeliness of the evidence
• Quality of the source writing, accuracy, and
  thoroughness

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Print sources

• Books
• Periodicals
• Academic and professional journals
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Bibliographies and Indexes
• Encyclopedias

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Non-print sources

• Internet
• Search engines
• Computer databases
• CD-ROMS
• Electronic databases
• Interviewing