WHAT IS HISTORICAL RESEARCH?

It is the procedure in which a researcher collects and evaluates data to

understand reports or observation made by others.
It tests hypotheses concerning causes, effects or trends that may help
to explain present events and anticipate future events.

GENERALIZATION
Generalization, which is an act of reasoning that involves drawing
broad inferences from particular observations, is widely-acknowledged as a
quality standard in quantitative research, but is more controversial in
qualitative research. The goal of most qualitative studies is not to generalize
but rather to provide a rich, contextualized understanding of some aspect of
human experience through the intensive study of particular cases.

Here are some key points to consider about generalizing the findings in
survey research:

The population and sample;

Response rates;
Comparison of early, late, and non-respondents; and
The results of comparison.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Advantages:
The main advantage of historical research is that is permits the
investigation of topics that could be studied in no other way.
It is the only research method that can study evidence from the past.
The historical method is well suited for trend analysis.
Disadvantages:
Cannot control for threats to internal validity
Limitations are imposed due to the content analysis
Researchers cannot ensure representation of the sample.
Bias in interpreting historical sources.
Interpreting sources is very time consuming.
Sources of historical materials may be problematic
Lack of control over external variables

EXAMPLE OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Medicine/Science
Persons behavior in relation to experiences.
 Persons reactions and behavior tends to create an impact to a
persons own experience that might lead to either positive or negative
outcome.

Ana, a grade 7 students who was bullied since elementary, decrease

her self-esteem, thus she felt being played and bullied even people are
not pertaining to her. Traumatic.
Ana has the historical site of being bullied that affects her self-
esteem and interpersonal skills/behavior.

Education

Finding based on the previous data or information provided from

the set of samples.

Data can be found in the given archives such as PHIL-IRI results, test
results, performances etc. that can be compared to the existing to
determine its history and improvements.

References:

Fraenkel, J.R. & Wallen, N.E. (2006). Internal Validity. How to design and
evaluate research in education (6th ed.,pp.168-186). New York: McGraw Hill.

Parr, Brian & Edwards, Craig M. (2004). Inquiry-Based Instruction in

Secondary Agricultural Education: Problem-Solving An Old Friend
Revisited. Journal of Agricultural Education, 45,106-116. Retrieved
November 10, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://pubs.aged.tamu.edu