HISTORICAL RESEARCH

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

History gives an exact knowledge of the part and enables one interpret the future. History is a integrated narrative of past events representing a critical search for the whole truth. It is not merely a list of events arranged chronologically, but a valid integrated account of social, cultural, economic and political forces that had operated simultaneously to produce a historical event. Physical education too, has a history of its own which has progressed under the influence of such forces. The focus of history may be directed towards an individual, a group, an idea, a movement or an institution.

Historical research has great value in the field of physical education, because it is necessary to know trends of the past in order to gain perspective to present and future directions.

Value of historical research in physical education and sports.

It provides us greater appreciation of sports culture and of the role which physical education is to play in the progress of society.

It reveals how functions of sports organizations shifted from time to time. It presents the clear picture of evaluation of games and sports.

It helps the students of physical education to understand how his profession has grown and developed through the centuries.

It provides important information concerning the effects of certain past physical education practices and may suggest programmes for future action.

It is necessary foundation for physical education reforms.

It develops understanding of the deep-rooted causes of the present day physical education problems.

STEPS IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH

The procedure involved in the historical research method are.

1. Selecting and delimiting the problem

Selection of problems involves not only the location of the problem which has a historical significance, but also the availability of adequate data.

2. Collection of data

Researcher has to collect all the data available so that hypothesis may be thoroughly verified. Collection of data may involve anything from digging up ancient ruins to stumbling on olddocuments or remains. Historical sources of data are usually classified into two main categories primary sources and secondary sources.

3. Formulation of Hypothesis

Hypothesis is formulated to explain that events or conditions, it has to be verify through various historical research.

4. Criticism of data or evaluation of data

The establishment of the validity of data generally involves the dual process, of first establishing the authenticity of the sources and then the validity of its content.

5. Interpretation of data

Data is interpreted in relation to one another and generalization in the form of conclusion is made.

6. Presentation of facts

The findings are reported in the form of a thesis.

 SOURCES OF HISTORICAL DATA

Historical sources are usually classified into two main categories - primary and secondary sources.

(I) Primary Sources

The original documents which are the first witness of a fact are termed as primary sources. Primary sources are the only solid basis of Historical research and they are highly prized by a historian.

In primary sources, only one mind comes between the event and the user of the source. " Without the Primary Sources history would be only an empty tale. Signifying nothings" There are two categories of primary sources.

A. Remains or Relics

B. Documents or Traditions

A. Remains or Relics

Fossils, Skeletons, Coins, tools, models, weapons, utensils, clothings, buildings, furniture, pictures, paintings, and art objects are examples of remain or relics. These sources may provide clear evidence about the past. The contents of ancient remains for instances, may reveal great deal of information about the way of life of the peoples, houses, food, clothing, customs, religious beliefs, weepers, sports equipments, social life and means of livelihood

B. Documents or Traditions

Documents or Traditions are the reports of events made in oral, written or pictorial form with a conscious intent of transmitting information. When historian use a documentary source for example " freedom fighting they do not observe the event personally but rather relay on the report of first hand witness. These documents are classified as under.

1. Official Records

These include legislative, executive or judicial documents prepared by central or state governments, municipalities, panchayats or other bodies, such as law charters, constitutions, court proceedings and decisions; data gathered by other organizations such as sports records, financial records; the information compiled by central or state education departments, professional organizations, schools, boards, universities, administrative authorities, such as the minutes of meetings of various committees and commissions, annual reports, sports budget, attendance record of games, dramas, athletic events, and examinations.

2. Personal Records

These include original draft of speeches, articles, pamphlets, books, certificates, autobiographies, diaries, letters, affidavits, letters, deeds, wills and contracts.

3. Oral Testimony of Traditions and events

These include spoken account of witness of event, interview with administrators, teachers, school patrons, and prominent educationists. Myths, folktales, family stories and ceremonies.

4.   Historical Records

These include drawings, paintings, sculpture, coins, movies and micro films.

5. Mechanical Records

These include tape recordings of interviews, meetings, speeches and photographs records of sports events and other important happenings.

6. Published materials

Newspaper accounts, pamphlets, year books, magazine stories, Journal, articles and syllabuses and course of study.

7. Printed Materials

Text books, certificates, record blanks, certificates, report-cords, newspaper advertisements and contracts.

II) Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are descriptions of primary sources. They are not first hand reports, more than one mind come between the original happening and its descriptions. They are the sources in which the accounts of an event is provided by a person who did not directly observe the event, object, or conditions. The writer of the secondary source was not on the scene of event He merely reports what the person who was there said or wrote Most of the history books and encyclopedias are examples of secondary sources.