1, determine the theme

The key to determine the research problem lies in the definition and use of key terms. Historical research is to find the facts of the past and describe, analyze and explain the past on the basis of this information. Therefore, the logical consistency of key terms is very important. We must deal with two problems: first, the ambiguity of key terms.

The meaning of a term in any particular situation is concrete. If these terms cannot be clearly defined, it will lead to misreading and misunderstanding in the research process. For example, the word "education" has different meanings in different historical periods. When studying the history of "education", it is necessary to make clear what is "education" in our field of vision and what is very different from today.

The second is the danger of "modernism" in the so-called historical research methods. This disease is quite common in theoretical circles. People always consciously or unconsciously give past nouns the meaning of today, or give them a meaning that has never been seen before in history. This is a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of history. Therefore, to determine the research problem, we must first define key terms.

2. Collection and evaluation

Historical materials are the starting point of historical research. Collecting and evaluating historical materials is the basis of historical research. Collecting historical materials is not only collecting historical documents related to research issues, but also mastering the methods of identifying historical materials to determine the authenticity and value of historical materials. There are two main sources of historical research data: primary data and secondary data.

First-hand information is the first description of the event or experience to be studied, including original documents, reports of real participants or direct observers, works, speeches and diaries of the educators being studied, meeting minutes, investigation reports, etc. Second-hand materials refer to materials that have been processed at least once for an event or experience, including various reference books, notes copied by others, rumors, various publications, etc.

Researchers must determine which are first-hand information and which are second-hand, and use first-hand information as much as possible. Historical analysis occupies a large number of documents, and it is difficult to distinguish between true and false. Researchers should be good at identifying historical materials, master the basic methods of compilation, collation and exegesis, and establish a critical attitude.

Historical materials must first be criticized by the outside world, that is, the validity of historical documents-where, when and by whom the documents were recorded. Only by answering these questions can the authenticity and reliability of the documents be guaranteed; Secondly, it must obey internal criticism, that is, the significance, accuracy and credibility of the contents of the document.

Internal criticism involves the author's style, skills and cross-reference of a large number of documents. Internal criticism and external criticism are very necessary to determine the authenticity, credibility and availability of historical sources. Generally speaking, if the source of the material is not true, it cannot be used; Even if the content is true, it has nothing to do with this research and cannot be used.

3. Comprehensive arrangement

After the relative value of historical materials from different sources is established, researchers should comprehensively sort out the historical materials obtained. In this process, researchers must solve the contradictions caused by the inconsistency between historical materials and decide the choice of these materials according to the research purpose. Researchers can't pile up miscellaneous historical materials, but must sort out the continuity of the central point of view and pay attention to the chronological or logical order.

In the process of repeatedly refining historical materials to obtain information, researchers will find that the same historical material source may contain multiple narratives of the same event, and different historical materials may also present basically consistent evidence and information from different angles. All these need to be summarized and synthesized by researchers.

Step 4 form a conclusion

The conclusion of historical research is a logical analysis obtained from literature. History depends on interpretation, which is the core of historical research. Pay attention to handling several pairs of contradictions: the contradiction between ancient and modern times, the contradiction between history and theory, and the contradiction between inheritance and innovation.

Several main links in the process of educational science research

1, the selection of research topics, the retrieval of documents, the formation of theoretical ideas, and the formulation of research plans;

2. Implement the research plan and collect, sort out and analyze the data obtained in the research;

3. Draw a conclusion and write a research report or paper.

Basic principles to be followed in educational scientific research

1, principle of objectivity;

2. Systematic principle;

3. The principle of combining theory with practice;

4. Principles of education (ethics).

Refer to the above? Baidu Encyclopedia-Research Methods of Educational Science (Methods of Studying Educational Phenomena)