本文希圖探討臺灣史學在最近五十年的變化。臺灣史學的發展，大致可以分成三個時期。從1949年至1960年代的中期為初創時期。其發展受到兩個方面影響：一是與中國近代的史學傳統，特別是所謂「史料學派」保持著密切聯繫。1960年代至1980年代為第二個發展時期，其特點是臺灣史界開始與西方史學產生了比較密切的聯繫，不但有西方史學家來臺灣訪問，也有相當數量的臺灣史家到西方求學並在當地任教，同時又不時回臺「傳道授業」，使得西方史學思潮很快波及臺灣。這一時期的史學潮流，以社會史的興起為主要標誌。1990年以來至今是第三時期，其主要趨向為臺灣史的興起。這一潮流表現了臺灣民眾希望了解本地歷史的願望，轉而影響到臺灣史界。同時，這一史學新潮又與國際史學的總體傾向合拍，即在突破民族-國家史學的基礎上，從多元的史學觀念出發，重新認識過去。在臺灣，這一史學研究趨向既體現了鄉土情懷，又有重建民族國家的意向，與其他地區相比有其特殊性。臺灣史學雖然有此發展變化，但變化之中仍有「不變」的因素存在，那便是臺灣史家對史料考證和開發的重視。這一現象使人聯想到「史料學派」的傳統。今後臺灣史家如何在方法論上有所突破、在歷史論述方面有所建設，是臺灣史學進一步發展的關鍵。

　The end of World War 2 ushered in a new era in the history of Taiwan. It also marked a new beginning of historical studies in Taiwan. The defeat of the nationalist government in mainland China forced many top-notch Chinese historians to retreat to the island. These Chinese scholars helped form a long lasting historiographical tradition in Taiwan, emphasizing source criticism and empirical research and extending the influence of the so-called ""historical source school"" (Shiliao xuepai) that appeared in the early 20th century.
　Beginning in the mid-1960s and armed with their knowledge of social science methods they learned from/in the West, Taiwan historians of a new generation sought an alliance between history and social sciences and attempted new methods in research which utilized the quantitative approach and theoretical contemplation. However, by the end of the 1970s this zest for social sciences gradually cooled down; empirical methods on source criticism regained their attraction. All the same, the social science orientation left an important legacy for Taiwan historians in the 1980s. Their studies were no longer confined to topics like political institutions and great ideas that had intrigued their teachers. Social history in a broad sense became a major trend which helped extend their interest into Taiwan.
　Since 1987 when the government finally lifted martial law, the study of Taiwan history boomed, gaining a tremendous popularity. Taiwan historians were now interested in knowing what has been going on around them on the island and eager to rewrite the history of the island for building a new nation. Political uncertainties at home and abroad, however, have prevented them from forming a consensus among themselves as well as with the island's residents.