Historical method refers to the organised set of approaches historians use to investigate, analyse, and explain the past. Rather than relying on experiments, historians build knowledge by carefully examining evidence such as documents, artefacts, photographs, oral accounts, and material remains.

The process begins with selecting a topic and reviewing existing scholarship to understand what has already been studied. Historians then collect sources through heuristics, or external criticism, which focuses on verifying a source’s authenticity, origin, and credibility.

Next, hermeneutics, or internal criticism, is used to interpret the meaning of sources by considering context, purpose, bias, and the perspective of the creator. Evidence from multiple sources is then synthesised to test hypotheses and form a coherent understanding of past events. The final step is exposition, where historians present their conclusions in a clear, logical narrative supported by evidence.

Historical research relies on different types of sources. Primary sources are created during the time being studied and include diaries, letters, government records, images, and film. Secondary sources are later interpretations, such as books and journal articles. Material evidence from archaeology and oral traditions passed down through generations also play important roles.