Historical knowledge is

limited by
Incompleteness of the
Record
Historical Method

S
 History as Reconstruction

Only a small part of what happened

in the past was ever observed.
The historian is many times
removed from the events under
investigation.
 Historians rely on surviving records
“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.”
“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.”
 What is the Historical
Method?

The process of critically examining and

analyzing the records and survivals of
the past
Historians have to verify sources, to date
them, locate their place of origin and
identify their intended functions
 Historical Sources

 Sources – an object from the past or

testimony concerning the past on which
historians depend in order to create their
own depiction of that past. (Howell and Prevenier, From Reliable
Sources an Introduction to Historical Method)

Tangible remains of the past

(Anthony Brundage, Going to Sources)
 Written Sources

1.Published materials
2.Manuscript [any
handwritten or typed
record that has not been
printed]
 Non-Written Sources

Oral history Artifact

Ruins Fossils
Art works Videorecordings
Audiorecordings
 What are Primary
Sources?

Testimony of an eyewitness
A primary source must have been
produced by a contemporary of
the event it narrates.
A primary source is a
document or physical object
which was written or created
during the time under study.
These sources were present
during an experience or time
period and offer an inside view
of a particular event.
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.
 Four Main Categories of
Primary Sources

1. Written sources
2. Images
3. Artifacts
4. Oral testimony
 What are Secondary
Sources?
A secondary source interprets and
analyzes primary sources. These sources
are one or more steps removed from the
event.
Secondary sources may have pictures,
quotes or graphics of primary sources in
them.
Examples
History textbook
Printed materials (serials,
periodicals which interprets
previous research)
 Practical
Example/Worksheet
Topic: Tejeros Convention
Primary Source: Santiago
Alvarez’ account
Secondary Source: Teodoro
Agoncillo’s Revolt of the Masses
 What is Historical
Criticism?

1. External Criticism
2. Internal Criticism
 External Criticism

It refers to the genuineness of

the documents a researcher uses
in a historical study.
It has to do with the authenticity
of a document.
What is External Criticism?

The problem of authenticity

To spot fabricated, forged,
faked documents
To distinguish a hoax or
misrepresentation
 Tests of
Authenticity
1. Determine the date of the
document to see whether they
are anachronistic
2. Determine the author
3. Anachronistic style
4.Anachronistic reference to
events
5. Provenance or custody
6. Semantics
7. Hermeneutics
 Internal Criticism

It refers to the accuracy of the

contents of a document.
It has to do with what the
document says.
 What is Internal
Criticism?
The Problem of Credibility
Relevant particulars in the
document – is it credible?
Verisimilar
 Tests of Credibility

1.Identification of the
author
2.Determination of the
approximate date
3. Ability to tell the truth
4. Willingness to tell the truth
5. Corroboration
Three Major Components to
Effective Historical Thinking

1. Sensitivity to Multiple Causation

2. Sensitivity to Context
3. Awareness of the interplay of
continuity and change in human
affairs