Historiography

History is a branch of science that establishes reality through the identification of events without experimentation, within the boundaries of time and context. In the science of history, history and the past are distinct. History emerges only after being filtered through the historian’s perspective. Although historians pursue truth in their work, they can never establish a concrete truth.

In historical methodology, there are narrative, individualistic, explanatory, and interpretive approaches. These have evolved over time, incorporating additions and omissions, and have taken their place in the development of historical science and methodology. Alongside these, textual analysis in historical methodology is carried out in various ways: examining the direct meaning of written sentences, identifying indirect meanings conveyed by the text, deciphering hidden meanings within the text, and revealing the facts in the text by thoroughly understanding the author, as if applying psychohistory.

^{(Source: Türkiye Yazarlar Birliği - https://www.tyb.org.tr/ibn-haldun-ve-tarih-metodolojisi-35332h.htm)}

The purpose of studying the history of historical science is to be conscious, to be prepared for change over time, and to generate difference.

Historical methodology classifies documents into source documents, primary documents, and secondary documents. Source documents contain elements that bear witness to reality, such as written texts, spoken words, and images. Primary documents present a situation in which the event is experienced directly or at least without the mediation of another source. Secondary documents are defined as those constructed independently from or by drawing upon primary sources from the period in which the event occurred.

Paradigm also holds an important place in historical methodology. In the science of history, a paradigm refers to phenomena widely accepted as models, established through long-standing experience.

Moreover, as history has increasingly turned toward societal issues, its connection with sociology has strengthened. Economics has also become intertwined with historical events, establishing a link with history. To enhance the acceptability of historical science and methodology, it is necessary to draw data and experimental insights from many other disciplines such as sociology and economics.

^{(Source: Typelish - https://typelish.com/b/pozitivist-metodoloji-ile-yorumlayici-metodolojinin-arasindaki-fark-nedir-105043)}

Another concern of historical methodology is ethical practice, specifically avoiding plagiarism. To prevent plagiarism, contributions from others must be clearly acknowledged. When a writer uses knowledge from a specific source or receives assistance, they must indicate this in a footnote. In addition, the writer must demonstrate due diligence in remaining faithful to the original text during transcription and translation.

In historical methodology, rather than accepting menakibnâmes in their entirety, one can draw useful insights from various elements within them. Places, times, certain motifs, and partial accounts of events can shed light for authors and readers. Likewise, when utilizing visual works, it is crucial to consider the analyst’s perspective and accumulated knowledge, as this determines how effectively the source image can be employed.

Research is highly important in historical science. A thorough literature review is necessary to properly and comprehensively shape the subject. While conducting research, the writer constructs their study based on spatial, temporal, and contextual boundaries. Sometimes information found online or in archives may contradict each other; for research to be valid, a rigorous method must be established.

Historians must base their work on the materials at hand, relying on observation and primary sources. Most primary sources have emerged as a result of observation. Before applying these sources, historians must not refrain from questioning them. They should compare sources with one another and use them accordingly. Equally important is a thorough understanding of the historical period in which the source was produced. Additionally, taking notes helps historians avoid overlooking key points. Before writing on a subject, the existing literature must not be ignored; the topic should not be presented as if it were being addressed for the first time. If the intended text will not require extensive time to complete, preparing an outline offers distinct advantages.

In the field of history, an ideal book is generally considered to be around 200 to 250 pages in length. In book criticism, it is regarded as appropriate to approach the work critically from multiple perspectives rather than merely summarizing it. Book reviews should not be as lengthy as articles; a range of three to six pages is considered suitable. Excessive visual elements used merely as decoration in a work are not considered advisable, as they may distract the reader.