Page 59 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques Reena Kapoor, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 4: Historical and Experimental
Research Methods

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
4.1 Historical Research Methods
4.2 Experimental Research Methods
4.2.1 Experimental Research Designs
4.3 Case Study Research

4.4 Content Analysis
4.5 Uses and Process of Content Analysis
4.6 Summary
4.7 Keywords
4.8 Review Questions

4.9 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Define historical research methods.

• Explain experimental research methods.
• Describe uses and process of content analysis.

Introduction

Experimental research designs are used for the controlled testing of causal processes. The
general procedure is one or more independent variables are manipulated to determine their
effect on a dependent variable.

4.1 Historical Research Methods

The historical method comprises the techniques and guidelines by which historians use primary
sources and other evidence to research and then to write histories in form of accounts of the
past. The question of the nature, and indeed the possibility, of sound historical method is
raised in the philosophy of history, as a question of epistemology.

Source Criticism
Core Principles
The following core principles of source criticism were formulated by two Scandinavian historians,
Olden-Jorgensen (1998) and Thurén (1997):

54 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY