Module: Research Methods for the Historian

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods for the Historian
Module Code	HIS1053 (ITS: HY510)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module imparts important transferrable, research and writing skills. It instructs students on devising, planning and executing independent research projects, as well as on presenting research findings. Good research questions spring from familiarity with the state of current debates in the field, new methodologies, and from realistic assessment of the available sources. Research Methods explores the writing of history from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Lectures on the practical dimension of research will concentrate on the identification and use of sources; embracing bibliographical skills; and building awareness of the main guides, catalogues and reference works routinely used by historians. Students will learn the theory, ethical considerations and practical uses (and compilation) of oral sources. The student will also be introduced to Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a powerful tool for interrogating spatial data, and will develop skills in mapping historical data with a spatial element. The course concludes with an introduction to basic statistical methods for historians and how spatial and statistical data can contribute to the post-graduate thesis. At the heart of this course stands a commitment to helping students develop the key transferrable skills needed to thrive at postgraduate level and beyond, for example, an ability to evaluate critically the significance and utility of a large body of material, including evidence from contemporary sources and wide ranging opinions; the ability to engage directly with questions and present independent opinions about them in arguments that are well-written, clearly expressed, coherently organised and effectively supported by relevant evidence. METHODS OF TEACHING: Lectures, labs, workshops and archival visits

Learning Outcomes

1. Embark on independent research projects and produce a capable thesis.
2. Identify and interpret different forms of historical data.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with key archival collections in print and digital formats
4. Deploy GIS methodologies and distinguish between different types of spatial data.
5. Develop an understanding of basic statistical methods and how they can contribute to historical research.
6. Enhance presentation skills.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of oral history; theory, ethics and practice

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	11	Lecture
Laboratory	8	Class Lab time
Field Trip	4	Archival Visits
Independent Study	227	Independent learning, assignment research and writing
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10812	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marnie Hay	Module Teacher	Daithí Ó Corráin, Susan Hegarty

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Citation Assignment	10%	n/a
Assignment	Annotated Bibliography and Reflection on Sources for a dissertation or research essay	60%	n/a
Project	A project incorporating the Geographical Information Systems mapping exercise, statistical methods and other computer applications	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
Session on Writing History - Introduction to sources and archives; Note taking, citation and bibliography. Session on Historical Sources: Getting the most from the Library - Catalogues, Google scholar, archival sources, BBIH, bibliographical sources, newspapers, endnote. Session on Historical Sources: Using Digital Archives - Introduction to digital archives for historical research; workshop on searching for information in digital archives. Sessions on Historical Sources: Getting the most from Archives - online presentations or visits to the National Archives and the National Library. Session(s) on Interpreting Sources - Introduction to interpreting different types of historical sources. Session on Oral History - Theory and ethical implications; Practical applications. Sessions on GIS: Introduction to spatial data - Data types and shapes, Raster and vector data, Lines, points and polygons; National grids and reference systems; How to source historical data, Creating a database for use in a GIS. Session on Organising and Writing Up Research - Planning and organising research projects; writing up research.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

In Class/Online: Comprehensive reading list will be provided to students in-class and/or online,