SLIDE 1
Qualitative Research Design Approaches
To perform qualitative research, you must choose at least one research design approach that fits
your topic. It is not uncommon for a researcher to employ more than one approach throughout their
study.
SLIDE 2
HISTORICAL STUDY
Historical Study
an ideal choice for studies that involve extensive examination of the past — including people,
events and documents.
concern the identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data from the past.
seeks not only to discover the events of the past but to relate these past happenings to the
present and to the future.
SLIDE 3
Purpose of a Historical Study
draw conclusions about the present and future, based off research conducted in the past.
analyze and interpret historical data to understand the cause-effect relationships of past events
and their significance.
SLIDE 4
Characteristics
In historical research, the problem area or area of interest is clearly identified and the literature
is reviewed.
Research questions are formulated.
Focus on why and how something happened, rather than just what happened.
Historical research may be more difficult to conduct than some of the other types of research.
Historical researcher must develop the “curiosity, perseverance, tenacity and skepticism of the
detective”
The data for historical research are usually found in documents or in relics and artifacts.
Documents may include a wide range of printed material.
Historical data can also be obtained through oral reports.
SLIDE 5
This research design depends on adequate interview sources and historical documents. It is
essential to validate the accuracy of the data and find primary sources. Depending on the goal of the
researcher, this form of study may result in a biography, which is why the term “historical study” is
sometimes used interchangeably with “biographical study.”
Biographical study - concerned with the reconstruction of life histories and the constitution of
meaning based on biographical narratives and documents.
SLIDE 6
SOURCES OF HISTORICAL DATA:
Primary Sources
those that provide firsthand information or direct evidence.
original, firsthand accounts or evidence created during the time period being studied
should be used in historical research when possible.
Examples of primary sources: oral histories, written records, diaries, eyewitnesses, pictorial
sources, and physical evidence.
Secondary Sources
secondhand information (or sometimes third or fourth hand).
interpretations, analyses, or summaries of historical events created after the fact, often based on
primary sources.
Examples of secondary sources: Books, articles, documentaries, and analyses written after the
events by historians and scholars.
SLIDE 7
Data Collection Methods
Archival research: Gathering information from libraries, archives, museums, or online
repositories.
Oral history interviews: Collecting first-hand accounts from people who experienced the event.
Document analysis: Examining and interpreting historical documents for accuracy, bias, and
context.
Data Analysis
Chronological approach: Organizing data based on the timeline of events.
Thematic approach: Identifying key themes or patterns from historical data.
Comparative analysis: Comparing different sources to cross-check facts and uncover broader
trends or discrepancies.
SLIDE 8
Data for historical research should be subjected to two types of evaluation:
External Criticism
concerned with the authenticity or genuineness of the data and should be considered first.
establishes the validity of the data.
Internal Criticism
examines the accuracy of the data and is considered after the data are considered to be genuine.
establishes the reliability of the data.
EXAMPLE STUDY:
"The Evolution of Agricultural Practices: A Historical Study of Crop Rotation and its Socio-Economic
Impact from the 18th Century to the Present"
This study explores the development of agricultural techniques like crop rotation over time,
focusing on how these practices shaped local economies and societies.
"The Role of Women in Education: A Historical Study of Female Educators in Rural Areas from the 19th
to 20th Century"
This research examines the historical role and contributions of women in education, particularly
in rural regions, and how their efforts transformed educational access and quality.
SUMMARY
Historical data in qualitative research involves analyzing past events, documents, or records to
understand trends, patterns, and social or cultural contexts.
It provides a rich source of contextual information that helps researchers explore how historical
factors influence present phenomena, often revealing long-term impacts and shifts in societal
behaviors or institutions.
