Historical analysis in qualitative research is a method for examining evidence to understand the past, particularly focusing on interpreting non-numerical data like documents and artefacts.
In the realm of qualitative research, historical analysis serves as a powerful technique to delve into past events, contexts, and phenomena to gain rich, descriptive insights relevant to the present study. It's not just about listing dates and names; it's about interpreting sources to understand how and why things happened and what they meant to the people involved.
Core Components of Historical Analysis
According to the provided reference, historical analysis is fundamentally:
- A method of examination: It involves a systematic process of reviewing and interpreting evidence.
- Focused on understanding the past: Its primary goal is to reconstruct or comprehend historical contexts.
- Applied to evidence: This evidence can range widely.
While the reference highlights its application to "evidence contained in documents," it also notes that it "can be applied to all artefacts." This broad scope is crucial in qualitative research, where researchers might examine texts, images, objects, buildings, oral histories, and more.
The Role of the Qualitative Researcher
Within qualitative research, the researcher using historical analysis takes on a detective-like role. As the reference states, the historian (or qualitative researcher applying this method) is "first, seeking to gain some certainty as to the facts of the past." However, in qualitative inquiry, this goes beyond mere factual verification to include:
- Interpreting the meaning and significance of events.
- Understanding perspectives from different historical actors.
- Identifying patterns, themes, and narratives within the historical data.
- Connecting past events to current social or organizational phenomena.
How it Works in Practice
Applying historical analysis in qualitative research typically involves several steps:
- Formulating the Research Question: Defining a question about a past phenomenon relevant to the qualitative study.
- Identifying and Locating Sources: Finding relevant documents, artefacts, or other forms of evidence (e.g., archival records, diaries, photographs, official reports, newspapers, physical objects).
- Examining and Critiquing Evidence: This is where the core "examination of evidence" happens. Researchers evaluate the authenticity, credibility, origin, and potential biases of the sources.
- Synthesizing and Interpreting Findings: Bringing together information from various sources to build a coherent understanding and interpret the meaning within the context of the research question.
- Presenting the Analysis: Reporting the findings, often weaving together narratives, interpretations, and discussions of the evidence.
Examples in Qualitative Research
- Analyzing historical documents: A qualitative researcher studying social change might analyze old letters, newspaper articles, or government reports to understand attitudes towards a particular group in the past.
- Examining artefacts: Studying historical tools or objects to understand daily life or technological practices in a specific era.
- Interpreting photographs: Analyzing historical images for insights into social norms, fashion, or significant events.
By meticulously examining historical evidence—be it documents, artefacts, or other sources—qualitative researchers use historical analysis to build a deep, nuanced understanding of the past, which often illuminates present-day issues.
