Книга “A Matter of Record” автора Джона Скотта представляет собой учебное пособие, которое предназначено для ознакомления с использованием документальных источников в социальных исследованиях. Она является дополнением к курсам по методам исследования в социальных науках и истории и справочным текстом для тех, кто начинает исследовать документальные источники.
В начале книги рассматривается общий обзор природы социальных исследований и разнообразия методов, которые могут быть использованы. Скотт выделяет три типа доказательств, полезных для такого рода исследований - физические доказательства, личные доказательства и документальные доказательства. Он утверждает, что логика исследования является общей для каждого типа доказательства, но каждый из них включает в себя определенные методологические проблемы.
В книге представлена оценочная сетка для анализа документов, показывающая критерии, которые должны использоваться при оценке документальных источников. В следующих главах эти критерии применяются к различным документальным источникам, доступным для социального исследователя: данные переписи населения и официальной статистики, правительственные публикации, справочники и ежегодники, личные дневники и письма.
This textbook aims primarily to introduce students to the fundamentals of using documentary sources for social researchers. It follows a format designed to complement existing courses on research methodologies in the Social Sciences and History, and to function as a sourcebook for beginners to research based on documentary strategies. The work begins by introducing readers to major concepts regarding social research, and discussing the diversity of research approaches models.
The author identifies three distinct strands of evidence often found utility in empirical inquiries: physical evidence (property), personal recollections (narratives), and documentary source materials (texts). Within this scheme, the author argues, research arguments apply across evidence types, although each evidence-type entails its own unique methodological challenges. In support of this claim, Scott outlines an appreciation framework for document analysis, illustrating how to tailor qualitative metrics to contrast various documentary materials. Subsequently, he introduces readers to a series of developments in documentary methodology – utilizing census data, official statistics, government reports, directories, and personal records (diaries, letters) as illustrative examples.
A Matter of Record: Some Thoughts about the Use of Documentary Sources in Social Research, by John W. Scott (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994), presents an overview and set of guidelines for researchers who utilize documentary materials as a source for social scientific research.
This text is intended as both a helpful companion for students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate level courses in historical research methodology and as a starting point for scholars developing their own research projects involving documentary materials. In fact, the actual text itself serves as a launching point, providing introductory thoughts and definitions of concepts pertinent to the understanding of documentary research. For example, it is explained that social scientific methods of inquiry encompass three distinct ways in which evidence can be assembled: physical, personal, and documentary. Even beyond this conceit, there is awareness that the analytical method employed for one source may not be suitable for another.
Professor Scott goes on to develop a general framework for evaluating documentary sources, including criteria for determining whether a source is trustworthy. This line of thought allows for a valuable exploration into the application of ideology in research projects. Indeed, even a cursory evaluation of a source will often reveal its ideological underpinnings. The author helps the reader disentangle some of these complexities through examples.
Overall, the book is grounded in an appreciation for how political doctrine and structural constraints impact interpretations of historical sources. These influences should not be brushed aside as peripheral. While Professor Scott does not discuss in depth issues of historical revisionism and ideological seduction that too pervade much archival research, his approach to studying documentary evidence is nonetheless highly beneficial for the development of future scholars.
Электронная Книга «A Matter of Record» написана автором John Scott в году.
Минимальный возраст читателя: 0
Язык: Английский
ISBN: 9780745687711
Описание книги от John Scott
This textbook aims to give an introduction to the use of documentary sources in social research. It is designed to be a companion to courses in research methods in the social sciences and history and a reference text for those beginning research on documentary sources. The book begins with an overview of the nature of social research and the variety of methods which can be used. Scott identifies three types of evidence useful in such research – physical evidence, personal evidence and documentary evidence. He argues that the logic of research is common to each type of evidence, but that each involves specific methodological issues. An appraisal grid for the analysis of documents is presented, showing the criteria which must be used in evaluating documentary sources. In the following chapters these criteria are applied to the variety of documentary sources available to the social researcher: census data and official statistics; government publications; directories and yearbooks; personal diaries and letters.
