HISTORICAL METHOD
Learning Outcomes:
Evaluate primary sources for their credibility,
authenticity and provenance.
Examine example of a primary source and its
corresponding secondary source derived
from them.
History as Reconstruction
the historian is many times removed from the
events under investigation
Ang historyador ay walang dudang
napakalayo na mula sa kaganapang
kanyang isinasalaysay
historians rely on surviving records
Umaasa ang historyador sa mga
naiwang tala
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History
History as Reconstruction
“Only a part of what was observed in the past
was remembered by those who observed it;
only a part of what was remembered was
recorded; only a part of what was recorded
has survived; only a part of what has survived
has come to the historian’s attention.”
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History
History as Reconstruction
“Only a part of what is credible has been
grasped, and only a part of what has been
grasped can be expounded or narrated by the
historian.”
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History
What is the Historical Method?
Historians have to verify sources, to date
them, locate their place of origin and identify
their intended functions.
Kailangan matiyak ng historyador
ang sumusunod na impormasyon
hinggil sa kanyang mga nakalap na
batis – petsa kung kailan ito isinulat
o nilikha, pinagmulan nito at ang
orihinal na intensyon kung bakit ito
naisulat o nilikha.
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History
In short, the Historical Method is…
The process of critically examining and
analyzing the records and survivals of the
past
Ang masalimuot na proseso ng
kritikal na pagsusuri at pagtatasa
ng mga tala at iba pang mga gamit
at/o materyales na nagmula sa
nakaraang panahon.
Louis Gottschalk, Understanding History
Historical Sources
Sources – an object from the past or
testimony concerning the past on which
historians depend in order to createtheir own
depiction of that past.
Howell and Prevenier, From Reliable Sources an
Introduction to Historical Method
Historical Sources
Sources – an object from the past or
testimony concerning the past on which
historians depend in order to createtheir own
depiction of that past.
Batis – isang gamit mula sa nakaraan
o testimonya na may kinalaman sa
nakalipas kung saan ibinabatay ng
historyador ang kanyang sariling
pagtatampok ng nakaraan
Howell and Prevenier, From Reliable Sources an
Introduction to Historical Method
Historical Sources
Tangible remains of the past
Mga nakikita o nahahawakang labi mula
sa nakaraan
Anthony Brundage, Going to Sources
Written Sources
1. Published materials Books, magazines,
journals,
Travelogue
transcription of speech
2. Manuscript [any handwritten or typed record
that has not been printed]
Archival materials
Memoirs, diary
Non- Written Sources
1. Oral history
2. Artifact
3. Ruins
4. Fossils
5. Art works
6. Videorecordings
7. Audiorecordings
Primary Sources
What are primary sources?
document or physical object
written or created during the
time under study.
present during an
experience or time period
offer an inside view of a
particular event
What are primary sources?
Primary sources are characterized by their
content, regardless of whether they are
available in original format, in
microfilm/microfiche, in digital format, or in
published format.
Examples:
Original Documents (excerpts or translations
acceptable): diaries, speeches, manuscripts,
letters, interviews, news film footage,
autobiographies, official records
Creative Works: poetry, drama, novels,
music, art
Relics or Artifacts: pottery, furniture,
clothing, buildings
What are primary sources?
Keep in mind that a primary
source reflects only one point
of view and may contain a
person’s bias (prejudice)
toward an event.
Four Main Categories of Primary
Sources
1. Written sources
2. Images
3. Artifacts
4. Oral testimony
Examples of primary sources
include:
Books, magazines,
newspapers
Examples of primary sources:
Diaries, Personal Records
journals,
records
Examples of primary sources:
Visual Materials
Paintings, drawings,
sculpture
Examples of primary sources:
Visual Materials
photographs, film,
maps
Examples of primary sources:
Oral Histories
Chronicles, memoirs, myths,
legends passed down by word
of mouth
Examples of primary sources:
Songs and Poems
Examples of primary sources:
Artifacts
Tools, ornaments, objects
Repositories of Primary Sources
National Archives of the National Library of
Philippines the Phils.
National Historical National Museum of
Commission of the Phils . the Philippines
Repositories of Primary Sources:
U.P. Main Library ADMU Rizal Library
DLSU Library UST Library
Repositories of Primary Sources
Library of Congress National Archives and Records
Administration
Archivo General de Indias Archivo General de la Nación
Repositories of Primary Sources
American Historical Collection
Lopez Memorial
Museum
Ayala
Museum
Kinds of Primary Sources
Human fossils Artifacts
Kinds of Primary Sources
Royal Decrees & Laws Official Reports
Kinds of Primary Sources
Chronicles Friar accounts
Kinds of Primary Sources
Maps
Kinds of Primary Sources
Memoirs Personal Account
Kinds of Primary Sources
Newspaper Magazines
Kinds of Primary Sources
Speeches Personal Letters
Kinds of Primary Sources
On line databases Blogs
Kinds of Primary Sources
Documentary Films Recorded Interviews
Secondary Sources
What are secondary sources?
interprets and analyzes primary
sources
one or more steps removed
from the event
may have pictures, quotes or
graphics of primary sources in
them.
Examples:
Publications such as:
Textbooks
Magazine articles
Histories
Criticisms
Commentaries
Encyclopedias
Examples of secondary sources:
Textbooks, biographies,
histories, newspaper
report by someone who
was not present
Examples of secondary sources:
Charts, graphs, or images
created AFTER the time
period.
PAST
P = Purpose: What was the object used for? What
does the text say? What does the picture show?
A=Author: Who created this?
S=Slant: Is there bias? What is the point of view
or frame of reference of the source.
T= Time Period: When was it created? What is
the historical context or what was happening at the
time it was created?
Practical Example/Worksheet
Topic: Tejeros Convention
Primary Source: Santiago Alvarez’
account
Secondary Source: Teodoro Agoncillo’s
Revolt of the Masses
