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Annals of Library Science and Documentation 41,4; 1994; 155-160.gfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
APPLICATION OF HISTORICAL METHOD OF RESEARCH IN THE STUDY OF LIBRARY
AND JNFORMATION SCIENCE: AN OVERVIEWQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
R.K.BHATT S.C. BHATT
Asstt. Librarian Librarian
Indian Institute of Technology D.D.S.T. Greater Kailash
NewOelhi New Delhi
The need and importance of library historiography to denote ''the history" or ''the history of historical
and the application of historical research method thought" [4]. As far as Indian historiography is
in library and information science are discussed. concerned, it has been viewed and written by the
Mentions its special characteristics and significant historians and scholars as the one weak spot in
studies being done in the field with application of Indian literature and is, infact, nonexistent. Almost
historical method of research. Suggests applica- total lack of the historical sense is so characteris-
tion of scientific technique in the study and research tic, that the whole course of Sanskrit literature is
using historical method. The formulation and test- darkened by the shadow of this deficiency and
ing of a hypothesis and the analysis of data as shows suffering from an absence of exact chro-
essential component of scientific technique tomake nology. So true is this, that the very date of
the historical studies more reliable, are stressed. Kalidasa, the great Indian poet, was long a matter
of controversy within the limitsof athousand years,
WHAT IS RESEARCH? and is even now doubtful to the extent of a cen-
tury or two. Thus, the dates of ancient Sanskrit
Research is an endeavour to discover, develop scholars and their works, in the vast majority of
and verity knowledge. The Webster's Third New cases, are only known approximately, having been
International Dictionary defines research as "care- inferred from indirect evidences, quotation or allu-
ful or critical inquiry or examination in seeking facts sion, development of language or style. And, as
or principles; a diligent investigation to ascertain to the events of their lives, we usually know noth-
something"[1]. Hillway defines research as "a ing practically [5]. History became a popular sub-
method of study bywhich through the careful and ject of research in India in the late fifties. Since
exhaustive investigation of all the ascertainable then, there have been considerable efforts which
evidence bearing upon the definable problem, we were put in for the promotion of historical writings
reach a solution to that problem" [2]. The product, not only inthe discipline of history alone, but also
or findings, of a given piece of research should inthe disciplines like economics, sociology, politi-
be authentic and verifiable contribution to knowl- cal science and library and information science.
edge in the field studied. In short, research is a
systematic and refined method of reflective think- CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF HISTORICAL
ing employing specialized tools, instruments, and RESEARCH
problems that would be possible under ordinary
means. It starts with a problem, collects data or History is an integrated narrative or description of
facts, analyses them critically and draws conclu- past events or facts written in a spirit of critical in-
sions based on the actual evidence and finds out quiry into the whole truth, Mouly [7] states that "as
better solutions of the problem. used by the Greeks, history meant an inquiry de-
signed to construct past events, and in a sense
GENESIS OF HISTORIOGRAPHY ININDIA historical research can be defined as a scholarly
attempt to discover what has happened". Sukhia
The Collin's English Dictionary defines 'Historiog- [8] opines that a historical research conducted in
raphy' as ''the writing of history, the study of the the study of any subject denotes an effort to re-
development of historical method, historical re- count some aspects of past life. In other words,
search and writing any body of historical litera- the historian attempts to give meaning to the facts
ture" [3]. In India, the term 'Historiography' is used in the light of a relevant theory.
Vol 41 No 4 December Ic)c)4 155
R.K. BHATT andEDCBAS.C BHATT
NEED AND PURPOSE OF HISTORICAL SOURCES OF DATA/INFORMATION
RESEARCH IN LlBRARIANSHIPgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
In historical research, the data or information is
Although there is a difference of opinion regarding generally gathered from the following information
acceptance of historical research as a truly scien- sources.
tific research, as it does not permit enough preci-
sion and objectivity, yet there is a consensus that 1. Official records, such as laws, deeds, annual
historical research has much to contribute in the reports of organizations, charters, etc;
field of library and information science. The basic 2. Newspapers and other periodicals;
purpose of historical research isto provide a clear 3. Eye-witness accounts of events;
perspective of the present and facilitate planning 4. Archives;
for the future. Busha and Harter [9] wrote that 5. Manuscripts;
historical research could contribute to the body of 6. Letters and personal diaries;
knowledge about librarianship and could increase 7. Biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs;
our understanding of how, when and why past 8. Historical studies;
events occurred. They further opined that it can 9. Literary writings;
expand our appreciation of the significance of 10. Oral histories;
these events. Michael Harris [10] stated that "a 11. Memorials;
clear understanding of the historical definition of 12. Catalogues;
the functions of libraries may well contribute to 13. Schedules, agendas, etc; and
increased communication between libraries". Simi- 14. Archaeological and geological sources
larty, emphasizing onthe needof historical research (nondocuments).
Jesse Shera [11] wrote that "library history allows
librarians to better understand the present and to To conduct a historical study primary and second-
more effectively fulfill their social responsibility". ary sources of information play a vital role. Pri-
While commenting on the status of library history mary sources represent the data which lie closest
in India, Donald G. Davis, JR. of the University of to the historical events. It trends to ensure the
Texas at Austin also advocated for the promotion integrity of a study and to strengthen its reliabil-
of historical writings in the field of library and infor- ity. Whereas, secondary sources of information
mation science and writes, "Indian library history provide important information and conceptual
is a subject that excites the imagination because development not available elsewhere. Therefore,
of its long duration, rich primary resources, and secondary sources of information are the best tools
vast potential for significant study. Yet one can for rounding out the setting or filling in the gaps
be frustrated not only by the problems of library between primary sources of information.
development in India, but by the status of describ-
ing and evaluating that development with histori- FUNDAMENTAL STEPS OF HISTORICAL
cal perspective" [12]. In short, good historical re- RESEARCH
search can help librarians and information special-
ists to present the past events efficiently and ef- Generally, it is expected that historical research
fectively without repeating the mistakes made in should alsofollow the same criteria and procedures
the past. as is followed by the other scientific methods of
inquiry. Keepingthis inview, folloWingsteps should
TYPES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH be followed in the historical research.
Historical research has been categorized in the 1. Identification and delineation of the problem of
following six Types [13] : historical significance;
2. Collection of data and information through
1. Biographical research primary and secondary sources;
2. Histories of institutions and organizations 3. Formulation of a hypothesis, if possible;
3. Investigation of sources and influences 4. Verifying the gathered data interms of authen-
4. Editing and translating historical documents ticity of sources and the validity of their con-
5. Studying the history of ideas tents;
6. Compiling bibliographies 5. Organization and analysis ofthe pertinent data;
and
156 Ann Lib Sci Doc
APPLICATION OF HISTORICAL METHOD OF RESEARCHgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
6. Presentation of facts in a readable form with SOMESIGNIFICANT STUDIES INLIBRARY AND
proper organization, composition, exposition INFORMATION SCIENCE WITH APPLICATION
and interpretation. OFHISTORICAL RESEARCH METHOD
HYPOTHESIS INHISTORICAL RESEARCH Over the years changes inthe multifarious facets
of human life in modern society have radically
The use of a hypothesis inhistorical research helps changed the functions of the library, particularly in
to increase the objectivity of the study and mini- view of the new information demands of the users.
mize researcher's bias. It also guides the re- Placed, inabroad spectrum of historical processes
searcher inthe collection, analysis, and interpre- and events, the studies related to library histori-
tation of data by indicating what is relevant to ography witn application of historical research
the study. The hypothesis provides a basis for method become significant.
considering various factors in relation to one an-
other and synthesizing them into a generalization Several studies have been conducted on different
or conclusion that puts their overall significance aspects of the history of libraries in India. One of
in focus. Thus, like any other kind of research the earliest calls for an Indian library historiogra-
method, hlstorical research tends to benefit by phy came from N.M. Dutta [15], in an address to
incorporation of a hypothesis. the Third All Bengal Library Conference held in
Calcutta in 1932. His talk, published as theQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBAHis-
REQUISITES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH tory of Indian Libraries from Earlier Times to the
Present Day, lamented the lack of interest or writ-
Following are the main requisites of historical re- ing on the subject. He said, ''the subject which I
search: have selected for my discourse is the history of
ancient and modern Indian libraries, but time will
1. Knowledge and availability of adequate histori- not permit of anything more than a brief survey of
cal sources; the subject. I would recommend the topic to
2. Selection of relevant and significant historical any university student for hisdoctoral dissertation.
evidences; and If we look back to the distant past, we are tempted
3. Logical arrangement of material. The re- to think that there were no libraries in ancient
searcher should have a specific plan for the India [16]". O.P. Sharma pointed out the continu-
acquisition, organization, storage and retrieval ing discouraging state of Indian library historical
of the data. writing [17]. Ramakrishna Rao, in his article, Li-
brary Development inIndia, attempts to place the
PROBLEMS INHISTORICAL RESEARCH topic in the context of historical and social fac-
tors [18]. Another major survey article is of Anis
The main problems faced in a historical research Khurshid entitled Growth of Libraries in India,which
are: concentrates on the history of libraries for last
two centuries and treats the earlier history in a
1. Deciding to what extent the data is enough. cursory fashion [19]. A.K. Mukherjee [20], S.K.
The researcher must be careful to avoid an Mookerjee [21], and D.N. Marshall [22] attempt at
over reliance on insufficient amount of data, critically evaluating the position of libraries and
or evidence; their functions in ancient India. Mukherjee [20],
2. Improper selection of data. Dutta [23], and Mishra (1979) also attempted to
The historian must avoid improper or faulty give historical assessments of the libraries in
selection of data, e.g. ignoring of some data, medieval India, a period which was particularly
exaggerating others etc; dominated andpatronized by personal involvement
3. Relying too heavily on secondary sources of of the kings and other upper class gentry. S.N.
information; Sadhu and B.N. Saraf [24] have provided one of
4. Investigating an overly broad problem; the few general treatments in library legislation.
5. Failing to evaluate adequately, the historical Kaula [25], Trehan [26], and Nagar [27] have criti-
data and their sources; and cally evaluated the library movement in India. More
6. Failing to interpret the data.EDCBA recently, Donald G. Davis, JR. [28] of the univer-
Vol 41 No 4 December 1994 157
R.K. BHATT and S.c. BHATTgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
sity of Texas at Austin, commented on the sta- research: a guide to methods and materi-
tus of library historiography in India "although a als. 1969. Mifflin Co.; Houghton, Boston.
core literature and Indian library historiography
exists, it has many imbalances and gaps. The 3. COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY. 1986.
scholars are very dispersed in their interests and Collins; London. p. 724.
their geographical location. With one person rarely
contributing more than one work, there is little pat- 4. BULLOCK (A) and OTHERS. The fontana
tern to existing research efforts. The one obses- dictionary of modern thought. p.286.
sion appears to be pre-occupation with legislation
and implementation of authorization for public li- 5. MACDONELL (A A). A history of Sanskrit
braries to the exclusion of other libraries in their literature. p.1O.
role in national culture". R.K. Bhatt [29] in his study
has critically examined the growth and develop- 6. NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANICA, Vol.
ment of libraries in modern India (1901-1985) with 11, p. 538.
special reference to Delhi.
7. MOULY(George J). The science of educa-
The interest and recognition of historiography of tional research. 1963. Eurasia Publishing;
libraries were founded on the vastness of itstem- New Delhi. p. 202.
poral and geographical purview and distinct iden-
tity bearing the history of this continent where the 8. SUKHIA (S P) and OTHERS. Elements of
application of historical research method, through educational research. 1963. Allied Publish-
which the historical data can be analyzed and ex- ers; Bombay. p. 192.
amined more or less in a scientific way, has a
significant role to play. A list of selective historical 9. BUSHA (Charles A) and HARTER (Stephen
research being done in the field of library and P). Research methods inlibrarianship: tech-
information science both in India and abroad is niques and interpretations. 1980. Academic
appended at the end. Press; New York. p.92.
CONCLUSION 10. HARRIS (Michael H) Ed. Reader in Ameri-
can library history. 1971. NCR Microcard
In the light of toreqoinq discussion, itcan be con- Editions; Washington, DC. p. 1.
cluded that there is a vital scope of the application
of historical method of research in the field of li- 11. SHERA (Jesse H). On the value of library
brary and information science. Undoubtedly, in history.QPONMLKJIHGFEDCBALibrary Quarterly. 22; 1952; 240-
the present day librarianship, there is a continu- 251.
ing need for genuine historical research in librari-
anship which has remained largely a neglected 12. DAVIS (Donald G) JR. The status of library
area. To promote historical research in the field history in India: a report of an informal sur-
of librarianship, it is advisable for the historical veyand a selective bibliographic essay.
researcher to follow some sort of scientific method Journal of Library and Information Science.
of inquiry, including the formulation and testing 14; 1989; 98-106.
of a hypothesis and the analysis and interpreta-
tion of data. Such processes will not only help him 13. HILLWAY (Tyrus). Op. cit.
to establish true and healthy results and findings,
but will also increase faith among research com- 14. STEVENS (Rolland E) Ed. Research meth-
munity in the application of historical research ods in librarianship : historical and biblio-
method. graphical methods in library research. 1971.
University of Illinois, Graduate School of li-
REFERENCESEDCBA brary Science; Urbana, IL.
1. WEBESTER'S THIRD NEW INTERNA- 15. DUTTA (NM).Historyof Indian libraries from
TIONAL DICTIONARY. VallI. 1966.p.1930. earliest times to the present day. Modern
Librarian. 21; 1932; 69.
2. HILLWAY (Tyrus). Handbook ofeducational
158 Ann Lib Sci Doc
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