¿Qué es la Investigación Documental? 🤯

What is Documentary Research?

Characteristics of Documentary Research

• Documentary research involves studying various official and personal documents as sources of information, which can be printed, electronic, or graphic in nature.

• According to Baena (1985), this technique includes selecting and compiling information through reading and critiquing documents from libraries and documentation centers.

• Garza (1988) highlights that documentary research primarily utilizes graphic records and sound as key information sources alongside manuscript and printed records.

Types of Research

• Research is broadly classified into two categories: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research focuses on data quantification using statistical analysis for generalizations based on sample results.

• Qualitative research originates from social sciences like anthropology, sociology, and psychology, emphasizing an interpretive approach to understanding phenomena through characteristics rather than numbers.

Objectives of Documentary Research

• The aim of documentary research is to analyze, critique, and compare various information sources to study a phenomenon effectively.

Sources of Information in Documentary Research

• Information can be disseminated through electronic, graphic, audiovisual print media; these are categorized into primary and secondary sources.

• Primary sources provide original data about a knowledge area while secondary sources reorganize or analyze existing information from other works.

Evaluating Sources in Documentary Research

Criteria for Source Evaluation

• Experts suggest evaluating sources based on four elements: authenticity, credibility, representativeness, and meaning.

Authenticity

• Authenticity pertains to the authorship of the text. Researchers should consider the reliability of the author by asking questions regarding their qualifications and expertise in the relevant field.

Credibility

• Credibility refers to the truthfulness and accuracy of a document. Factors influencing this include the author's perspective, potential biases, and whether verifiable sources support the claims made.

Representativeness

Understanding Document Credibility and Meaning

The Method of Distrust

• Investigators must prove a document's lack of authenticity, credibility, and representativeness if doubts arise. This process is referred to as the "method of distrust."

Evaluating Information Sources

• The clarity and comprehension of a text are crucial for evaluating its meaning. Factors include historical context, language appropriateness, and audience understanding.

Levels of Meaning Interpretation

• Meaning evaluation occurs at two levels:

• First Level: Considers legibility, physical condition (if applicable), and language used.

• Second Level: Focuses on interpretation and analysis, recognizing three types of meaning:

• Intentional meaning (author's intent)

• Received meaning (audience's construction)

• Internal meaning (interaction between intentional and received meanings).

Documentary Research Objectives

• Documentary research can present new theories or interpretations based on existing frameworks. For instance, Salado (2017) aims to compile student essays to identify factors hindering quality writing.

Critical Analysis in Education

• Research by Timberman emphasizes critical analysis in various knowledge areas. An example includes analyzing reality shows for educational purposes to understand their influence on viewers.

Linguistics as a Tool for Understanding Language

• Wright (2000) advocates for critical linguistics as an effective means to analyze language use broadly. It helps in understanding common sense through linguistic studies.

Comparative Studies in Human Development