6.

To what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the

methodologies we use? Discuss with reference to history and one other

area of knowledge?

The methods we employ have a big impact on the knowledge we create.

Methodologies provide a systematic and organised means to gather, analyse,

and interpret data, and decisions made about the methodology frequently

influence the findings of a study. A qualitative technique, for instance, will

provide a different kind of knowledge than a quantitative one, and the use of a

particular statistical analysis method will have an impact on the findings.

However, it's also crucial to remember that other elements, such as the

research question, the sample, and the data gathered, also play a part in

determining the knowledge that is created. The connection between

methodologies and the knowledge we produce is fairly strong as they help in

seeking or creating knowledge in a step by step format, which makes it easier

to produce the same. Therefore it is possible to analyse how methodologies

used, determine the knowledge we produce in areas of knowledge like history

and human sciences to frame an argument for the title. The extent to which

the knowledge we produce in history is determined by the methodologies we

use, and this can vary greatly. In the study of history, the methodologies used

can have a significant impact on the knowledge produced, as they determine

the sources and types of evidence that are considered, as well as how that

evidence is analysed and interpreted (Historical Methodology Evidence &

Interpretation n.d.). For example, using a Marxist approach to studying history

may result in a different interpretation of events and individuals than using a

nationalist or feminist approach. 2 Additionally, the use of different sources,

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such as primary sources such as letters and diaries, or secondary sources

such as textbooks, can also greatly influence the knowledge produced. It is

also important to note that methodologies in the study of history are constantly

evolving, and new methods and approaches are developed as our

understanding of history and the world changes. Therefore, the knowledge

produced in history is not only influenced by the methodologies used but also

by the historical context in which those methodologies are used. To explore

this claim, we can see that the methods used to study the assassination of

Julius Caesar were of utmost importance in shaping our understanding of this

historical event. The assassination took place over two thousand years ago

and the only written accounts that have survived from that time were written

several decades after the event by Roman historians such as Suetonius,

Plutarch, and Cassius Dio. To validate these accounts and build a more

comprehensive understanding of the assassination, historians have utilized a

variety of methods and sources (Assasination of Julius Caesar n.d.). One of

the key methods used to study the assassination was the examination of

government records and letters from the time, which provided valuable

insights into the political and social conditions that existed in Rome at the time

of the event. Additionally, archaeological evidence such as inscriptions, coins,

and statues have been used to corroborate the historical accounts and help

shed light on the motivations of the assassins and the political climate in

Rome at the time. Another important method was the comparative analysis of

the historical accounts written by Roman historians such as Suetonius,

Plutarch, and Cassius Dio. By comparing these accounts to other sources,

such as government records, letters, 3 and archaeological evidence,

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historians were able to build a more complete and accurate picture of the

events surrounding the assassination and the motivations behind it. This has

helped to fill in gaps in our understanding and to correct any inaccuracies in

the historical accounts. Therefore, the methods used to study the

assassination of Julius Caesar were crucial in shaping our understanding of

this historical event. By utilizing a variety of methods and sources, historians

were able to validate the historical accounts, build a more comprehensive

understanding of the event, and correct any inaccuracies that may have been

present in the original accounts Additionally, the appearance of Jesus Christ

has always been debated and archeologists have found it difficult to

determine the same. Since no documents from the first century have survived,

biblical historians were kept in the dark concerning Jesus' personality.

Archaeological investigations in Jesus' birthplace of Nazareth have uncovered

further details about his upbringing. Moreover, archaeologists recently

discovered a house from the first century that had been thought to be the

childhood home of Jesus for a very long time. The topic of what Jesus looked

like in 2018 has been answered by new research and approaches, but a

researcher created a representation of what Jesus would have looked like

based on archaeological evidence and historical literature that characterise

Jesus' contemporaries in Judea and Egypt in 2018. Jesus most likely had

olive-brown complexion, black hair, and brown eyes, according to ancient

coins and artwork. Based on male skeletal remains from that time period, it is

most likely that Jesus was around 5 feet 5 inches (1.7 metres) tall, which was

typical for males. These findings suggest that the researchers were able to

get a better idea of what Jesus looked like 4 with the aid of different tools and
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methods, displaying how they helped in seeking knowledge about something

that was unknown and debated for a long time. The methodologies we use to

produce knowledge play a significant role in determining the knowledge that is

produced. Methodologies serve as the foundation and framework for

conducting research and collecting data, while using different methods help in

replicating and confirming the findings acquired from one method. To add onto

this arguement, we can see the benefits of using different methods in human

sciences such as psychology. Methodologies such as self-report measures,

behavioral measures, and brain imaging techniques can shape the way that

psychological phenomena, such as emotions and cognition, are studied and

understood. The choice of methodology can impact the results of a study and

influence the conclusions that are drawn about the phenomenon being

investigated. Using multiple methods to study a phenomenon can increase

the reliability and validity of findings in psychology research. One such

experiment that uses different methods is the study of mood and memory. The

study of mood and memory uses multiple methods to confirm findings in order

to increase the validity and reliability of the results. Some of the methods are

controlled experiments that are used to manipulate the mood of participants

and then measure the impact of this manipulation on memory performance

(Mood and Memory n.d.). This method allows researchers to determine

causality between mood and memory and to control for extraneous variables

that might impact the results. Self-report measures, such as questionnaires or

interviews, are used to gather information about the participants' mood states.

This information is then compared to the participants' performance on memory

tasks to determine the relationship between 5 mood and memory. While

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neuroimaging techniques: such as functional magnetic resonance imaging

(fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET), are used to observe the brain

activity associated with mood and memory. These techniques allow

researchers to determine the specific brain regions and processes involved in

the relationship between mood and memory. By using multiple methods, the

study of mood and memory can provide a more comprehensive

understanding of the relationship between mood and memory. For example,

controlled experiments can demonstrate causality, while self-report measures

and neuroimaging techniques can provide insight into the subjective

experience of mood and the underlying neural processes involved. The use of

multiple methods helps to increase the validity and reliability of the findings

and provides a more robust understanding of the phenomenon being studied.

Other than this psychology includes many examples wherein different

methods have been used to generate knowledge about the subject. For

example, Emotion regulation which means that a study may use both

self-report measures and physiological measures to investigate the

effectiveness of different emotion regulation strategies. For example,

participants may be asked to report their emotional experiences using a

questionnaire and also have their physiological responses (such as heart rate

or skin conductance) monitored during the experiment. Memory recall which is

when a study may use both behavioral measures, such as reaction time

tasks, and self-report measures, such as surveys, to investigate the accuracy

and consistency of memory recall. Participants may be asked to recall

information from a list or story and then complete a questionnaire about their

memories. 6 In conclusion, the approaches employed in history and

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psychology have a big impact on the information generated in both subjects.

Methodologies offer a framework for gathering and interpreting data, and they

can have an influence on a study's findings and conclusions. The research

issue under investigation, the methodology's constraints, and the wider

cultural and historical environment in which the study is taking place should all

also be taken into account. Researchers can develop more accurate and

trustworthy historical and psychological information by carefully taking these

elements into account. 7

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://study.com/learn/lesson/historical-methodology-evidence-interpre

ation.html

https://study.com/learn/lesson/historical-methodology-evidence-interpre

ation.html

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/803/the-assassination-of-julius-caes

ar/

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/803/the-assassination-of-julius-caes

ar/
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