Research

=== Historical research ===
{{Main|Historical method}}
[[File:Leopold von Ranke 1868.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|German historian [[Leopold von Ranke]] (1795–1886), considered to be one of the founders of modern source-based history]]

The [[historical method]] comprises the techniques and guidelines by which historians use historical sources and other evidence to research and then to write history. There are various history guidelines that are commonly used by historians in their work, under the headings of external criticism, internal criticism, and synthesis. This includes [[lower criticism]] and sensual criticism. Though items may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following concepts are part of most formal historical research:<ref name="Garraghan (1946)">{{cite book |title=A Guide to Historical Method |last=Garraghan |first=Gilbert J. |year=1946 |publisher=Fordham University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8371-7132-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/guidetohistorica0000garr_e1h2/page/168 168] |url=https://archive.org/details/guidetohistorica0000garr_e1h2|url-access=limited }}</ref>
* [[Identification (information)|Identification]] of origin date
* [[Evidence]] of localization
* [[Recognition (sociology)|Recognition]] of authorship
* [[Analysis]] of data
* Identification of [[integrity]]
* Attribution of [[credibility]]