Historiography: Development in the West

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the methodology and comparative study of historical research versus natural sciences as described in the lecture notes.

Objective of historical research

To understand the chronology of the past events and their interconnections through a continuous process of research, writing, and studies.

Empirical method

The laboratory method of experiments and observation used in physical and natural sciences to verify knowledge and formulate laws that remain true irrespective of time and space.

Historical research limitation

The inability to use laboratory experiments and observation because historical events cannot be recreated and laws true for all time and space cannot be formulated.

Authenticity criteria for documents

Markers used by experts to examine a document, including lettering style, author's style of writing, manufacturing date and type of paper, and stamps of authority.

Historiography

The study and writing of historical narrative through critical examination of various sources of history.

Historical transitions

The processes highlighted by collecting historical information and carrying out comparative analysis.

Conceptual frameworks

Various frameworks used in the historical research method to understand references regarding the time and space of given historical events.

Formulating hypotheses

A step in the historical research method involving the creation of testable propositions based on relevant historical references.