Is Genealogy a Science?
In some important ways, "Yes" ...,
But, in other ways, "maybe" ...
Genealogical research is scientific research in some important ways:
- Like other sciences, the findings of genealogy are based on
probability.
Just as biologists may report on empirical studies by telling us that there
is a 95 or 99 percent probability that a condition isn't caused by something other
than the cause being tested, the genealogist finds probable answers to
research questions by ruling out other possibilities, using the best possible
data sources.
As with empirical science, the genealogist can't really prove anything.
We'll never know which of our ancestors quietly let her husband believe
that he was the father of that bouncing new baby. We'll never know which
of our ancestors fibbed about their age on their marriage papers. We'll
never know which of our ancestors' information was inaccurately recorded
by a careless clerk. Instead, we increase the probability that we know
the truth by seeking as many sources as possible, emphasizing those sources
that are most likely to be reliable.
- Like other scientists, the genealogist must carefully
document the
study so that other researchers are able to replicate
the study and end up with the same results.
-
Genealogy has embraced the technological language
of science and information technology. Terms like data,
database, data entry, research, reliability, validity, and so on, are
part of the genealogist's daily conversation.
On the other hand, some features of genealogical research differ from
other forms of scientific research.
- The genealogist is interested in anecdotes, stories, family legends,
photographs, heirlooms, and other material beyond pure facts.
- The genealogist doesn't typically set up an experiment, comparing two
or more factors, but instead relies on conclusions based on accumulated
data.
In these ways, the genealogist's research is closer to the observational
studies of the zoologist, historian or sociologist, than to the type of methods
employed by psychologists, physicists or biologists.
But, the most important parallel is that the quality of genealogical
conclusions, like the quality of empirical conclusions, is based on the
quality of the research, sources and data supporting such conclusions.
There can be good, or bad, science.
There can be good, or bad, genealogical research.
It is, therefore, useful to talk about a genealogical science, as a way
to remind us all to adhere to the cautious techniques and interpretations
that lets our work stand up to scrutiny and makes our results be
useful for those seeking historical knowledge.
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Granduncle Mark's Genealogy Parlor