This Page was adapted from the Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper guide done by Dr. Robert V. Labaree from the Von KleinSmid Center Library for International and Public Affairs at USC.
Definition and Purpose
The purpose of a historical research design is to collect, verify, and synthesize evidence from the past to establish facts that defend or refute your hypothesis. It uses secondary sources and a variety of primary documentary evidence, such as, logs, diaries, official records, reports, archives, and non-textual information [maps, pictures, audio and visual recordings]. The limitation is that the sources must be both authentic and valid.
What do these studies tell you?
What these studies don't tell you?