The Survey as a Method for Researching Historical Consciousness

Authors

• Pilvi Torsti Helsingin yliopisto

Abstract

The article discusses the survey method as a way to analyze historical consciousness. It presents the theoretical background of both; the survey as a quantitative research method and historical consciousness as a concept defined as a connection between the past, the present and the future. The article concentrates on two major studies on historical consciousness utilizing survey; a pan-European Youth and History research project from 1990s and a current research project Historical Consciousness in Finland presenting the principles as to how the survey method has been applied, what have been its strengths and its weaknesses. The article closes with the discussion about the limits and possibilities of the survey method in applied history or education research.