Documentary research is a method based on existing documents as a primary source of data. To do documentary research effectively, you systematically locate, select, evaluate, and synthesize information found within these pre-existing materials to answer a specific research question.
What is Documentary Research?
At its core, documentary research relies on using information that already exists. As highlighted, it is based on existing documents as a primary source of data. This means you are not creating new data through surveys, interviews, or experiments, but rather analyzing information recorded in the past or present by others.
These documents are broadly defined and can encompass a wide range of materials. According to the provided reference, These documents can be written (letters, diaries, articles, books) or unwritten documents (videos, photographs, inscriptions). The goal is to analyze these documents to gain insight and understanding into a specific phenomenon, historical event, social trend, or any other topic of interest.
Steps to Conducting Documentary Research
Executing documentary research involves a structured approach to ensure thoroughness and validity. Here are the key steps:
Step 1: Define Your Research Question
Clearly articulate what you want to find out. A precise research question will guide your entire document search and analysis process. What phenomenon are you trying to understand? What specific insights are you seeking from existing documents?
Step 2: Identify Relevant Documents
Based on your research question, determine the types of documents that are most likely to contain the information you need. This could involve:
- Primary documents (first-hand accounts like diaries, letters, original records)
- Secondary documents (interpretations or analyses of primary sources like books, articles)
- Visual or audio documents (photographs, films, sound recordings)
- Public records (government reports, statistics, legal documents)
- Personal documents (journals, correspondences)
Step 3: Locate and Access Documents
Find the physical or digital locations where these documents are stored. This might involve:
- Libraries and archives
- Online databases and digital archives
- Government repositories
- Museums
- Private collections
Plan how you will access these documents, considering availability, access permissions, and format.
Step 4: Analyze the Documents
Once you have the documents, you must critically analyze their content. This involves:
- Evaluating Authenticity: Is the document real and reliable?
- Understanding Context: When, why, and by whom was the document created? What was the original purpose?
- Extracting Information: Identify the data, facts, perspectives, or narratives relevant to your research question. Use systematic methods like content analysis, thematic analysis, or discourse analysis depending on your data and goals.
- Comparing Documents: Look for patterns, contradictions, or corroboration across different sources.
Remember, these documents are analyzed to gain insight and understanding into your specific phenomenon.
Step 5: Synthesize Findings and Write Up
Organize the information you have extracted and analyzed. Look for connections, trends, and significant findings that address your research question. Structure your findings logically and present them in a clear, coherent narrative, often in the form of a research paper, report, or book chapter. Ensure you properly cite all documents used.
Types of Documents Used in Research
The versatility of documentary research lies in the wide array of sources it can utilize. Here are some examples:
| Document Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Written | Letters, diaries, manuscripts, books, articles, reports, newspapers, legal documents, meeting minutes, financial records |
| Unwritten | Videos, films, photographs, audio recordings, inscriptions, artworks, artifacts with symbolic meaning |
| Digital | Websites, emails, social media posts, online databases, digital archives |
Tips for Effective Documentary Research
- Be Systematic: Plan your search and analysis process carefully.
- Be Critical: Don't accept information at face value. Evaluate the source's credibility and potential biases.
- Keep Detailed Records: Log the documents you access, where you found them, and relevant information extracted.
- Iterate: Your research question or the types of documents you seek may evolve as you explore the existing sources.
- Consider Limitations: Recognize that your findings are limited by the availability and nature of the existing documents.
By following these steps and critically engaging with existing materials, you can conduct thorough and insightful documentary research.
