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Importance of Documentation in Research Methodology

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Research is a study to find answers and solutions to scientific, social and literary problems through a systematic way. It is a cautious, orderly and patient investigation in any field of knowledge undertaken to form facts or principles. It is a well-thought-out inquiry that uses an acceptable specific methodology to gather, analyze and interpret information in order to resolve problems or answer questions and, in general, to create new knowledge. It can therefore simply be defined as a journey leading to the finding of new knowledge with the revision of evidence, theories and applications. Any research work undertaken must make an innovative contribution to the current information in the applicable discipline. In research, whatever the focus may be, the study must be an industrious and systematic investigation with proper methods for the discovery, analysis or updating of data for the application of research findings to refine knowledge in chosen subjects or disciplines. In research, the research methodology must be complemented by proper stylesheets for formatting in-text citations, works cited/end notes/footnotes and bibliography and a literature review must be carried out. In a serious academic research, methodology, style-sheets and review of literature have utmost importance.

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Bibliometrics is the discipline where quantitative methods were employed to probe scientific communication process by measuring and analyzing various aspects of written documents. It helps to monitor growth of literature and patterns of research. This paper examines the articles published in Journal of Documentation for authorship pattern, degree of collaboration, geographical distribution of papers and citation analysis. The studies carried out for this paper found that majority of papers are multi- authored. The degree of collaboration is found to be 0.51. The geographical distribution reveals that the contribution by United Kingdom is the highest. The average citations per paper are 43.

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Research Methodologies Guide

• Action Research
• Bibliometrics
• Case Studies
• Content Analysis
• Digital Scholarship This link opens in a new window
• Documentary
• Ethnography
• Focus Groups
• Grounded Theory
• Life Histories/Autobiographies
• Longitudinal
• Participant Observation
• Qualitative Research (General)
• Quasi-Experimental Design
• Usability Studies

Documentary Research

According to Scott & Marshall (2015), Documentary Research is

" Research that uses personal and official documents as a source material. Documents... may include such things as newspapers, diaries, stamps, directories, handbills, maps, government statistical publications, photographs, paintings, gramophone records, tapes, and computer files. "

Documentary research is often conducted by social scientists to assess a set of documents for historical or social value, or to create a larger narrative through the study of multiple documents surrounding an event or individual. 

Documentary research is often related to Content Analysis research methodologies. 

For more information, browse the selected resources below:

Books and articles

• Documentary Research in the Social Sciences by Malcolm Tight Publication Date: 2019 From diaries and letters to surveys and interview transcripts, documents are a cornerstone of social science research. This book guides you through the documentary research process, from choosing the best research design, through data collection and analysis, to publishing and sharing research findings.
• Documentary Research by Gary McCulloch Publication Date: 2004 Documentary sources have become increasingly neglected in education and the social sciences. This book seeks to emphasise their potential value and importance for an understanding of modern societies, while also recognising their limitations, and explores their relationship with other research strategies.
• An Introduction to Documentary Research A brief introduction to documentary research from the American Educational Research Association.
• Documentary Research [Reference] An encyclopedia entry on Documentary Research from the Encyclopedia of Curriculum Studies.
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Home » Documentary Research – Types, Methods and Examples

Documentary Research – Types, Methods and Examples

Table of Contents

Documentary Research

Definition:

Documentary research is a type of research method that involves the systematic investigation and analysis of existing documents or records. These documents can be in the form of written, visual, or audio materials, such as books, articles, photographs, videos, and audio recordings.

Documentary Research Methods

Documentary Research Methods for data collection are as follows:

Systematic Searching

This involves conducting a thorough and systematic search of documents to identify relevant information. Researchers can use keywords, search terms, and other techniques to locate relevant documents.

Content Analysis

This involves analyzing the content of documents to identify patterns, themes, and other insights. Researchers can use manual or computer-assisted methods to analyze the content.

Historical Analysis

This involves analyzing historical documents to understand past events, trends, and cultural contexts. Researchers can use primary and secondary sources, as well as oral histories and other forms of documentation.

Archival Research

This involves analyzing documents stored in archives such as government records, personal papers, and institutional records. Researchers may need to gain access to the archives, navigate complex cataloging systems, and handle fragile or delicate documents.

Case Study Analysis

This involves analyzing specific cases and the documents related to them to understand underlying causes and effects. Researchers may need to collect a range of documents related to the case, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements.

Comparative Analysis

This involves comparing documents from multiple sources or locations to identify similarities and differences. Researchers can use a range of tools and techniques to compare documents, such as content analysis software or qualitative coding schemes.

Literary Analysis

This involves analyzing literary works such as novels, poems, and plays to understand themes, symbolism, and other literary devices. Researchers can use a range of methods, such as close reading and thematic analysis, to analyze literary works.

Ethnographic Analysis

This involves analyzing documents related to a specific culture or group to understand their beliefs, practices, and values. Researchers may need to collect a range of documents such as interviews, field notes, and artifacts to analyze the culture or group.

Visual Analysis

This involves analyzing visual media such as photographs, videos, and artwork to understand the meaning, symbolism, and cultural context. Researchers can use a range of methods such as content analysis, semiotics, and discourse analysis to analyze visual media.

Network Analysis

This involves analyzing the relationships between documents, individuals, or organizations to understand social networks and power dynamics. Researchers can use a range of methods such as social network analysis and organizational analysis to analyze networks.

Data Analysis Methods

Documentary Research Data Analysis Methods are as follows:

• Coding : This involves categorizing and labeling segments of data to identify patterns and themes. Researchers can use a range of coding techniques such as deductive coding, inductive coding, and grounded theory coding.
• Thematic analysis: This involves identifying recurring themes and patterns in the data to understand the meaning and significance of the content. Researchers can use a range of thematic analysis techniques such as content analysis, discourse analysis, and narrative analysis.
• Content analysis : This involves analyzing the content of the data to identify patterns, themes, and other insights. Researchers can use manual or computer-assisted methods to analyze the content.
• Statistical analysis : This involves analyzing numerical data to identify patterns, trends, and relationships. Researchers can use a range of statistical techniques such as regression analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis.
• Qualitative data analysis : This involves analyzing non-numerical data to identify patterns, themes, and other insights. Researchers can use a range of qualitative data analysis techniques such as phenomenology, ethnography, and grounded theory.
• Discourse analysis : This involves analyzing the language and communication in the data to understand the meaning, context, and social relationships. Researchers can use a range of techniques such as critical discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and conversation analysis to analyze discourse.
• Visual analysis : This involves analyzing visual media such as photographs, videos, and artwork to understand the meaning, symbolism, and cultural context. Researchers can use a range of methods such as content analysis, semiotics, and discourse analysis to analyze visual media.

Documentary Research Methodology

The steps involved in conducting documentary research using a systematic methodology include:

• Defining the research question : The first step is to define the research question or problem that will guide the research. This should be a specific, clear, and answerable question.
• Identifying relevant documents: The next step is to identify the relevant documents that can provide information on the research question. This may involve conducting a search of databases, archives, and other sources of information.
• Evaluating the quality of the documents: Once the documents have been identified, it is important to evaluate their quality and relevance to the research question. This may involve assessing the reliability, validity, and bias of the documents.
• Collecting the documents: The next step is to collect the documents that will be used in the research. This may involve obtaining permission to access the documents, making copies, or taking notes.
• Organizing the documents: The documents should be organized in a way that makes it easy to find and analyze relevant information. This may involve creating a database, spreadsheet, or other organizational tool.
• Analyzing the documents: The data collected from the documents should be analyzed using appropriate methods such as content analysis, thematic analysis, or discourse analysis. The data should be interpreted in relation to the research question.
• Drawing conclusions: The final step is to draw conclusions based on the analysis of the documents. This may involve synthesizing the findings, identifying patterns and trends, and making recommendations for future research or action.

Applications of Documentary Research

Some of the common applications of documentary research include:

• Historical research : Documentary research is commonly used in historical research to study past events, trends, and social issues. Historians use existing documents such as newspapers, diaries, and government records to reconstruct historical events and understand the social and cultural context.
• Legal research : Documentary research is often used in legal research to understand the legal context of a particular case or issue. Legal researchers use existing documents such as court cases, legislation, and legal opinions to analyze the legal issues and provide insights into the legal system.
• Social sciences: Documentary research is commonly used in social science research to study social phenomena such as social movements, political campaigns, and cultural practices. Social scientists use existing documents such as media reports, government records, and personal accounts to understand the social and cultural context of the phenomena.
• Marketing research : Documentary research is used in marketing research to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor strategies. Marketers use existing documents such as industry reports, market data, and customer feedback to develop marketing strategies and make informed decisions.
• Education research: Documentary research is used in education research to study educational policies, practices, and outcomes. Education researchers use existing documents such as educational records, policy documents, and research studies to understand the factors that influence student achievement and inform educational policies.
• Business research: Documentary research is used in business research to study business practices, industry trends, and market dynamics. Business researchers use existing documents such as financial reports, industry publications, and customer feedback to analyze business performance and inform business strategy.

Examples of Documentary Research

Here are some real-time examples of documentary research:

• Investigative journalism : Investigative journalists often use documentary research to uncover hidden information or expose corruption. For example, a journalist may use existing documents such as government reports, financial statements, and leaked documents to investigate a company’s unethical practices or a government’s hidden agenda.
• Social media research : Social media researchers use documentary research to analyze user-generated content and social media platforms. For example, a researcher may use existing social media posts, comments, and tweets to study public opinion on a particular topic or track the spread of misinformation.
• Public policy research : Public policy researchers use documentary research to analyze government policies and their impact on society. For example, a researcher may use existing documents such as legislative records, budget reports, and policy briefs to study the effects of a particular policy on a particular population.
• Historical research : Historians use documentary research to reconstruct historical events and understand the social and cultural context. For example, a historian may use existing documents such as diaries, newspapers, and government records to study the impact of World War II on a particular region.
• Market research : Market researchers use documentary research to analyze market trends and consumer behavior. For example, a market researcher may use existing documents such as industry reports, market data, and customer feedback to develop a marketing strategy for a new product.
• Environmental research : Environmental researchers use documentary research to study the impact of human activities on the environment. For example, a researcher may use existing documents such as environmental impact statements, government reports, and scientific studies to understand the effects of climate change on a particular region.

Purpose of Documentary Research

The purpose of documentary research is to gather and analyze data from existing documents such as records, archives, newspapers, magazines, books, and other media sources. The goal of this type of research is to extract information and gain insights that are relevant to the research question or problem being studied. The purpose of documentary research can vary depending on the specific context and objectives of the research project. Here are some examples of the purposes of documentary research:

• To study historical events : Documentary research is often used by historians to study past events and understand the social and cultural context of the time period being studied.
• To analyze public policies: Documentary research is frequently used by policy analysts to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies and identify areas where improvements can be made.
• To understand social phenomena : Documentary research is commonly used in social science research to study social phenomena such as social movements, political campaigns, and cultural practices.
• To develop marketing strategies: Documentary research is used in marketing research to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor strategies. Marketers use existing documents such as industry reports, market data, and customer feedback to develop marketing strategies and make informed decisions.
• To inform business decisions : Documentary research is used in business research to study business practices, industry trends, and market dynamics. Business researchers use existing documents such as financial reports, industry publications, and customer feedback to analyze business performance and inform business strategy.

When to Use Documentary Research

Here are some situations when documentary research might be a good fit:

• When the research question requires the analysis of existing data : Documentary research is useful when the research question requires the analysis of existing data sources such as records, archives, newspapers, magazines, and other media sources.
• When the research question involves historical analysis: Documentary research is frequently used in historical research to study past events and understand the social and cultural context of the time period being studied.
• When the research question requires the analysis of policy documents: Documentary research is often used in public policy research to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies and identify areas where improvements can be made.
• When the research question requires the analysis of marketing or business data: Documentary research is useful in marketing and business research to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor strategies.
• When the research question requires a comprehensive analysis of a large data set : Documentary research can be useful when researchers need to analyze a large data set that would be difficult or time-consuming to collect through primary data collection methods.
• When the research question requires triangulation of data: Documentary research can be used in conjunction with other data collection methods such as interviews, surveys, or observations to triangulate data and verify findings.

Characteristics of Documentary Research

Here are some characteristics of documentary research:

• Non-experimental: Documentary research is a non-experimental research method, meaning that researchers do not manipulate any variables or conduct experiments in a controlled setting.
• Use of secondary data: Documentary research relies on secondary data sources such as existing documents, rather than collecting new primary data through surveys or observations.
• Historical and retrospective : Documentary research is often used to study historical events or retrospective phenomena such as public policies, social movements, or cultural practices.
• Objective and unbiased: Documentary research is based on existing documents that are typically considered objective and unbiased, which can add credibility to the research findings.
• Time-efficient and cost-effective: Documentary research can be a time-efficient and cost-effective research method, as it involves the analysis of existing data sources rather than collecting new primary data.
• Requires critical thinking and interpretation : Documentary research requires critical thinking and interpretation of the data sources to identify relevant information and gain insights that are relevant to the research question or problem being studied.
• Can be used in combination with other research methods: Documentary research can be used in combination with other research methods such as interviews, surveys, or observations to triangulate data and verify findings.

Advantages of Documentary Research

Here are some advantages of documentary research:

• Cost-effective : Documentary research is generally less expensive than primary data collection methods such as surveys or experiments, as it involves the analysis of existing data sources.
• Time-efficient: Documentary research is generally faster than primary data collection methods, as the data sources are readily available and do not require the time and resources associated with data collection.
• Non-intrusive : Documentary research is a non-intrusive research method that does not involve direct interaction with study participants. This can be particularly advantageous when studying sensitive topics or populations.
• Access to historical data : Documentary research provides access to historical data sources that may not be available through primary data collection methods.
• Objective and unbiased : Documentary research is based on existing documents that are typically considered objective and unbiased, which can add credibility to the research findings.
• Allows for triangulation of data: Documentary research can be used in combination with other research methods such as interviews, surveys, or observations to triangulate data and verify findings.
• Ethical considerations: Documentary research can be useful when conducting research on sensitive topics where ethical considerations may limit the use of primary data collection methods.

Limitations of Documentary Research

some limitations of documentary research are as follows:

• Limited control over data quality: Researchers have limited control over the quality and accuracy of the data sources used in documentary research, as they are often historical and not specifically designed for research purposes.
• Limited generalizability : The findings from documentary research may not be generalizable to other populations or contexts, as the data sources are often specific to a particular time period or location.
• Limited ability to answer specific research questions: Documentary research is limited to the data sources that are available, which may not always provide the information needed to answer specific research questions.
• Limited ability to explore causality: Documentary research is a non-experimental research method and does not involve the manipulation of variables, making it difficult to explore causality.
• Limited ability to explore complex phenomena : Documentary research may not provide a complete picture of complex phenomena, as the data sources may not capture all aspects of the phenomenon being studied.
• Limited ability to collect qualitative data: Documentary research is primarily a quantitative research method and may not provide rich qualitative data that can be obtained through other research methods such as interviews or observations.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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