Historical method facts for kids

The historical method are the techniques and guidelines by which historians use primary sources and other evidence to research and then to write history.

Guidelines

Following Garraghan (in: A Guide to Historical Method, 168) puts six questions that should be answered as minimal standard for a sound historical method:

1. When was the source, written or unwritten, produced (date)?
2. Where was it produced (localization)?
3. By whom was it produced (authorship)?
4. From what pre-existing material was it produced (analysis)?
5. In what original form was it produced (integrity)?
6. What is the evidential value of its contents (credibility)?

Related pages

• Historiography
• Scientific method