丹齋 申采浩는 근대 민족주의 역사학의 시초를 연 인물로 평가되고 있다. 그럼에도 불구하고 역사학계는 그의 역할과 업적에 대하여 批判的이거나 非肯定的인 평가를 내리고 있다. 단재는 역사는 물론이고 종교, 문화, 문학, 역사철학, 아나키즘에 이르기까지 다양한 분야의 학문과 사상을 섭렵하였다. 역사학의 연구방법론 또한 문헌사학 고고학 민속학 종교학 문학 철학 사회학 등 다양하였다. 단재는 역사사상가, 정치사상가, 독립사상가라고 볼 수 있다. 따라서 일반적으로 이해하는 역사학자와 몇 가지 차이점이 있었다. 첫째, 역사연구의 목적의식이 분명했고, 그것은 궁극적으로 조선의 독립과 민족의 해방이었다. 둘째, 문명사의 틀에서 상고사를 해석하였다. 셋째, 자기 논리를 구축하고, 이에 근거해 사상과 역사연구를 진행하였다. 넷째, 다양한 방법론을 동원하여 역사를 연구하였고, 역사의 목적을 실현하는 방법론도 제시하였다. 다섯째, 한민족 역사활동의 범주를 공간적으로 만주일대를 포함하였고, 시간적으로 단군개국 년대를 수용하였다. 여섯째, 역사연구에서 철저한 고증을 중요시하였다. 언어학, 지리조사 등을 벌였고, 거시적인 해석과 담론을 만들었다. 일곱째, 인간 및 국가의 가장 기본이며 힘의 원천을 자의식으로 삼았다. 단재의 한계로 지적된 것들은 관념적이고 정신적이며, 구체성과 실증성을 결여하였다는 점이다. 하지만 그 주장은 근거가 희박할 뿐만 아니라, 논리성도 결여하고 있으며, 특별한 목적에 의해서 조작된 것임을 알았다.
In the history of the academic world, there is no systematic in-depth studies on ancient Korea(Gojoseon civilization). It is not only because lack of research materials, but also of both public history developing processes and the historical conception were of immature during the modern period. Moreover, the one-sided research methods, limitation of archaeological space, documents missing, all the issues made Korean scholars so difficult to form a consummate local research. Shin, Chaeho was titled as Danje, who is one of famous pioneers of the Korean modern history. However in the field of history study, he had been criticized by many scholars. Shin, Chaeho, who was once a famous chinese study scholar of the time. He also participated social activities as educator, public opinion, social activist, independence movement pioneer, hard historian, political thinker, writer, and put himself into practice of many areas social activity. In his view, subjects of history involved in numbers of areas, such as religion, culture, literature, philosophy, socialism, etc. He persisted that history research method must hold diversify of literature, archeology, archeology, folklore, religion, sociology, philosophy and literature. Therefore his understanding of history different from other historians, such as followings. First, he insisted that, for Korean historians, the purpose of research was clear, that was the independence and liberation of Korea"s nationality. Second, he identified Korean ancient history in the study field of the history civilization. Third, he set up his own unique system of historiography, and did a profound research. Fourth, he used various methods in doing research, analysed the study purpose, and created modern Korea historical methodology. Fifth, he believed the Korea nation"s historical activity range including the Manchuria area, and the starting time should date back to Tangun era. Sixth, he pointed out the importance of research based on linguistics study, practice fieldwork and deep explanation. Seventh, he believed the most basic element of human society and states is self-awareness. Nowadays, there are still some scholars think he"s limitation is so that ideal, and lack of actual evidence. Also some other scholars have criticized his study as lack of historical evidence and logic. Some scholars even think he was just create a objective historical theory for Korean liberation.