1st Edition
Using Computers in History A Practical Guide to Data Presentation, Analysis and the Internet
Using Computers in History is designed to introduce students to historical computing through practical workshop exercises. With topics such as the pattern of nineteenth century emigration from the UK, the performance of the American and German economies in the 1930s and the Lancashire cotton industry, Lloyd-Jones and Lewis explain and illustrate the possible uses of the computer for the historian.
Using Computers in History:
* raises awareness of the use of computers as an important tool for the historian
* provides a practical introduction to basic computer terminology
* includes high quality diagrams of the screen displays which should appear at each stage
* examines the use of spreadsheets and how to design and work with them
* discusses the different software packages available, concentrating on Microsoft Excel 4
* includes spreadsheet exercises based around a range of historical data sets
* explores the use of databases
* shows how to construct them
* gives guidelines for further study
* prompts students to apply the skills they have learnt to a number of examples
Biography
Roger Lloyd-Jones is Reader in Economic and Business History, also at Sheffield Hallam University. The authors have run a course on history and computing at the university for several years., Senior Lecturer in Business History and History and Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.
'Routledge have published a wizard guide, beautifully produced, with a wealth of illustrations (over 120 figures and 20 tables)... leader of the pack - by several lengths.' - - Gilbert Pleuger, New Perspective
'This book is essential reading for anyone about to study history at university, since nearly all courses now include an element of computing. Basically, what it does is to explain, very clearly, how to use spreadsheets and databases for historical analysis. It provides a series of exercises to develop your understanding, and the data needed to carry them out. The best thing is it assumes very little knowledge of computers to begin with - terms and techniques are explained throughout ... An extremely worthwhile book which will repay careful study by teachers and pupils alike.' - History Review
'This is a history text, not just a computing text with token history. Just as spreadsheets and databases requires historians to think carefully about sources, using word processors affords an opportunity to think about how historians write and to teach history students to think about the writing of history' - Times Higher Education Supplement
'A well-informed guide to using computers in history.' - History Teaching Review (SATH)
