Historical research or historiography, "attempts to systematically recapture the complex nuances, the people, meanings, events and even ideas of the past that have influenced and shaped the present". These include the following steps although there is some overlap and movement back and forth between the steps. Historical research can often lead to present day experiments that attempt to further explore what has occurred in the past.
Step 1: Identify an idea, topic or research question:This is the first step in any type of academic research. Ideas for historical research topics can come from many different sources, such as the accomplishments of an individual, a political policy, or the relationship between events.
Step 2: Conduct a background literature review:This step involves identifying, locating, and collecting information pertaining to the research topic. The goal of this step is to compile background and starting information so you can evaluate the validity and strength of your topic. When conducting background information, you are looking to broaden the breadth of knowledge pertaining to your topic. You will dig deeper for more in-depth information and research later in process.
Step 3: Refine the research idea and questions: Here is where you identify what works and what doesn't with your original topic and idea. The first attempt at creating your final topic should not be your last. Once your preliminary research is completed, you will begin to see the areas where your topic will not cover and where you expand your topic out further. Refine the scope of your topic to create the strongest topic possible for your research needs.
Step 4: Identify and locate primary and secondary data sources:In step two, you conducted background research. Now, it is time to dig deeper into your topic, locating sources to use in your historical writing. Information sources are often contained in documents such as diaries or newspapers, records, photographs, and interviews with individuals who have had experience with or knowledge of the research topic. These sources are broken into two types: Primary and Secondary sources.
