Profession historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and present the past of human societies. They analyse documents, sources, and traces from the past in order to understand the past societies.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • History

    The discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.

  • Scientific research methodology

    The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

  • Periodisation

    The categorisation of the past into defined blocks of time, called time periods, in order to make researching history easier.

  • Historical methods

    The methods, techniques, and guidelines that historians follow when researching the past and writing history, such as the use of primary sources.

  • Source criticism

    Process of classifying various informational sources into different categories such as historical and non-historical, or primary and secondary, and evaluating those sources on the basis of their content, material features, authors etc.

Skills

  • Research the past in recorded sources

    Analyse recorded sources such as government records, newspapers, biographies, and letters in order to uncover and interpret the past.

  • Consult information sources

    Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

  • Perform scientific research

    Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

  • Write scientific papers

    Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

  • Apply scientific methods

    Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

  • Do historical research

    Use scientific methods to research history and culture.

Optional knowledge and skills

teach history assess conservation needs archive documentation related to the work search historical sources in archives conduct public presentations conservation techniques art history create collection conservation plan archaeology advise on historical context interview people compile library lists manage tourist groups supervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildings escort visitors to places of interest consult iconographic sources provide technical expertise study a collection museum databases reconstruct modified documents develop scientific theories determine authorship of documents write research proposals provide tourism related information maintain museum records document interviews manage digital archives cultural history

Source: Sisyphus ODB