Mukhamad Shokheh, Ph.D, Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Historical Studies, served as a speaker in the International Guest Lecturer in Virtual Lecture Series organized by West Visayas State University, Philippines, on Saturday (April 18, 2026). The event was attended by students of the Master of Arts in Education majoring in Social Studies, focusing on the topic Research Methods Applied in History.
During the three-hour lecture, held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. local time, Shokheh emphasized that history should not be understood merely as a collection of past facts. Instead, he explained, history is a scientific interpretation of human traces and evidence analyzed within the context of space and time.
“History is a meaningful reconstruction of past events, and therefore requires systematic methods to ensure credible results,” Shokheh stated.
He further outlined four main stages in historical research methods. The first is heuristics, which involves the collection of historical sources. The second is source criticism, including external and internal verification to assess authenticity and credibility. The third is interpretation, focusing on analysis and synthesis to understand historical meaning. Finally, historiography refers to the process of writing history in a scholarly manner.
According to Shokheh, these stages must be carried out systematically as part of a logical cycle. This process is essential to produce historical work that is not only informative but also academically accountable.
On this occasion, he also demonstrated the application of historical methods through a case study of the Filipino people’s struggle against Spanish colonialism in the 19th century. Through this example, students were introduced to archival research techniques, ways to distinguish facts from bias, and strategies for constructing strong historical narratives.
“Historical methods are not merely theoretical concepts, but operational tools that can be directly applied in research,” he added.
The session concluded with an emphasis on the importance of mastering historical methods for Social Studies educators. Shokheh highlighted that such competence is crucial in fostering critical historical awareness among younger generations.
As part of broader global efforts, this activity also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education. Through academic capacity building and international collaboration like this, educational institutions contribute to improving learning quality, expanding students’ global perspectives, and fostering a generation that is critical, reflective, and globally competitive.
