Simply put, historiography is the collection of histories on a particular topic. For example, the articles written in this magazine end with a reading list consisting of references to key histories on the topic discussed. Reading lists, therefore, are examples of historiographical references.
Furthermore, historiography is commonly used to represent the ‘history of history’ — this is where the interpretations, approaches and methods used by historians, past and present, are evaluated. However, evaluation does not mean making value judgements about whether historians were and are right/wrong or good/bad. It is more a case of deciding whether the work of individuals and groups of historians carries validity and reliability as historical evidence.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
