Abstract

The changing character of historical evidence, the development of new techniques, concepts and theories in related disciplines imply that even those historians who are skeptical about the methodology of the social sciences have to acquaint themselves with the basic fundamentals of social science research. This paper examines the mutually reinforcing relationship between history and many social science disciplines by arguing that historians and social scientists need and stimulate one another. More significantly, the paper contends that even within the historical profession there have emerged persons or groups who are fully or partially engaged in studies dealing with social science research. Indeed, a significant part of historical study and training now falls within the scope of the social sciences. In other words the paper takes cognizance of the sub-disciplines of history that are intrinsically imbued with the character of social science. The study concludes by articulating the centrality of the humanistic approach to the social sciences in particular and historical knowledge in general.