Documents as sources of data
Introduction
Documents available for research:
These are “documents” that can be read (but not just as in text – visuals as well!)
Have not been produced specifically for the purposes of research
Preserved so that they become available for analysis
Relevant to the concerns of the social researcher
Documents that are non-reactive:
Have not been produced specifically for the purposes of social research
Scott’s criteria for assessing the quality of documents:
1. Authenticity
Genuine evidence
origin certain
2. Credibility
Is it free from error and distortion?
3. Representativeness
Is the evidence typical of its kind?
4. Meaning
Clear, relevant and comprehensible?
Types of documents available for study:
Personal
Official state documents
Official company documents
Mass media outputs
Virtual document
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