historical method: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “historical method” mean?
The systematic set of techniques and guidelines used by historians to research, evaluate, and interpret primary sources and other evidence in order to construct narratives about the past.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The systematic set of techniques and guidelines used by historians to research, evaluate, and interpret primary sources and other evidence in order to construct narratives about the past.
A rigorous, critical approach to understanding past events that emphasizes the use of primary sources, source criticism, contextualization, and the avoidance of anachronism. It can also refer more broadly to a methodological approach in any discipline (e.g., history of science, art history) that applies historical principles of inquiry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical in both varieties. British academia may have a stronger traditional association with empiricist and archival methods, while American historiography has been heavily influenced by social science methodologies, but these are trends, not definitions of the term itself.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties. Implies scholarly rigor, objectivity, and adherence to professional standards.
Frequency
Almost exclusively used in academic, educational, and research contexts in both the UK and US. Very rare in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “historical method” in a Sentence
apply + historical method + to + [research topic]be based on + historical methoduse + historical method + to + [verb phrase]adhere to + the principles of + historical methodVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “historical method” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The historian methodically applied the historical method to the Tudor court records.
- One must methodise one's approach according to the historical method.
American English
- The researcher employed the historical method to analyze the Civil War letters.
- She historicized the phenomenon using a rigorous historical method.
adverb
British English
- The documents were analysed historical-methodically.
- [Rarely used adverbially]
American English
- He worked historical-methodologically through the source base.
- [Rarely used adverbially]
adjective
British English
- His historical-method approach was praised for its thoroughness.
- The course provides historical-method training.
American English
- Her historical-method framework shaped the entire dissertation.
- They followed historical-method principles in their archival work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in history, historiography, and related humanities/social sciences. Used to describe the rigorous process of evaluating evidence and constructing historical arguments.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when discussing academic work.
Technical
The specific term for the professional standards and techniques of historical research, encompassing external and internal criticism of sources, heuristic procedures, and hermeneutics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “historical method”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “historical method”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “historical method”
- Confusing it with 'historiography' (the writing of history or the study of its methods). Using it to mean simply 'an old-fashioned method'. Using it without the definite article 'the' when referring to the general concept (e.g., 'She applied historical method' is less common than 'She applied *the* historical method').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While establishing factual accuracy through source criticism is a core part, the historical method also involves interpretation, constructing narratives, understanding context, and acknowledging the historian's own perspective.
Yes. Historians of science regularly use it to study the development of scientific ideas. Furthermore, fields like geology or evolutionary biology use 'historical methods' in a broader sense to interpret past events based on evidence.
A primary source is material from the time period being studied (e.g., a letter, treaty, artifact). A secondary source is later scholarly work that analyzes primary sources (e.g., a history book, journal article). The historical method prioritizes the critical analysis of primary sources.
No. It provides a rigorous framework for inquiry, but different historians may interpret the same evidence differently based on their questions, theoretical frameworks, and the new sources they discover. It aims for credible, evidence-based understanding, not a single absolute truth.
The systematic set of techniques and guidelines used by historians to research, evaluate, and interpret primary sources and other evidence in order to construct narratives about the past.
Historical method is usually academic / technical in register.
Historical method: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈstɒrɪkəl ˈmɛθəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl ˈmɛθəd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not commonly idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HIStorians use a specific METHOD to study HIStory. Historical Method = HIStory's METHOD.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORICAL RESEARCH IS DETECTIVE WORK (gathering clues/evidence, evaluating reliability, constructing a case).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of the 'historical method'?