WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH? - SCIENCE - 2025

The structure of documentary research refers to the set of steps carried out by the researcher, in order to execute a scientific and systematic procedure of inquiry, collection, interpretation and presentation of data and information on a certain topic, using the study and analysis of documents.

In this sense, it can be said that documentary research is characterized by working directly or indirectly with documents, either written or audiovisual. Since in addition to collecting information from the texts, it also uses cards, slides, plans, discs, films, among others.

In the same way, it can be said that the structure of documentary research is the basis for the construction of knowledge, since following the steps established in it, an adequate collection of data and information is achieved that allows giving answers to the fact studied as well as generating hypotheses of the same.

However, it is important to mention that this set of steps that guide documentary research should not be followed in a rigid and closed way, since its application depends on the type of work, skills, knowledge and possibilities of the researcher.

In this sense, it can be used as a guide and from time to time it can be altered a little, adapting it to the specific characteristics of each investigation, as long as it respects the basic rules for preparing a documentary investigation; that is why it is said that it can be applied in any field of action.

Structure of Documentary Research

Choice of topic and delimitation

It consists of choosing the subject object of the research and posing it precisely, framing it within a particular situation or context, which allows to know what approach to give to the work.

In order to properly choose the research topic and avoid future complications that may prevent the research from being completed, it is necessary for the researcher to ask the following questions:

1-Do I have enough time to finish the investigation in the established time?

2-Do I have the human and material resources necessary to complete the study topic?

3-Is the subject new?

4-What contributions or benefits will it generate?

General and specific objectives

The objectives are the purposes of the study, they express what is intended to be achieved and guide the research, since it has as its main goal to provide answers to them.

It is important to mention that the objectives must be written with an infinitive verb and must be precise to avoid confusion in the research, they are divided into general and specific.

Overall objective:

It is one that expresses in a global way what you want to achieve, it is the essence of the problem statement.

Specific objectives:

They arise from the general objective and their formulation must be oriented towards its achievement, each specific objective seeks to achieve a part of the general objective and together they give it a complete answer.

The specific objectives determine what steps will be taken to achieve the overall objective.

Location selection and collection of information from different sources

Once the topic to be studied has been defined, you can start looking for the necessary information for the development of the research and achieve the objectives set.

For this, the researcher must go to the direct sources of information, which are called "documentary units", which represent the physical space (libraries, sites of interest that are related to the research, web pages, among others) where the documents that are useful for research.

Organization of data

It refers to organizing the information in a way that allows it to be classified according to responding to the investigation.

To do this, it is necessary to organize a work file through its classification, coding and hierarchy, using the research files.

Research files

Research files are the physical or virtual instruments that make it possible to sort the data from the consulted documentary sources and the information related to the subject under investigation, in order to provide answers to the established objectives.

Design of the work scheme

In this aspect, the way in which the research topic will be approached is established, for that it will be necessary to make a diagram or work scheme.

It constitutes the research plan, since it allows identifying which are the elements that make up the same and what order must be followed to carry out the research.

The most common and commonly used outline formats in desk research are:

1-The box with keys.

2-The numerical subsection.

1. The mixed scheme (combination of the key scheme and the number part).

Writing a draft

The draft is the first written text of the research carried out by the researcher and will allow the results of the same to be known.

It is carried out in order that the ideas expressed acquire a permanent character and can be consulted by future researchers.

It is important to note that the draft will be subject to corrections in order to present a final written text that meets all the established parameters. The draft should contain the following content:

1-Title.

2-Introduction.

3-Objectives of the investigation.

4-Description of the content.

5-Methodology to follow.

Drafting of final written report

Once the draft has been reviewed and corrected, the work is presented according to the guidelines established in each research presentation manuals of each country and institution.

Phases of documentary research

For their part, some authors point out that the structure of documentary research is divided into two phases, one theoretical and the other operational. Below is a diagram that breaks down both phases:

The theoretical phase is made up of:

1-Selection of the topic.

2-General count of the sources: the source, the data and the documentation.

3- The exploration of the area or the first data collection.

4- Location and delimitation of the problem.

5- Statement of the problem.

6- Scopes.

The operational phase is made up of:

1-Work plan.

2-Synthetic scheme.

3-Formulation of the problem.

4-Proposal of hypotheses or theoretical proposals.

5-Content analysis techniques.

6-The summary.

7-Data processing.

8-Analysis and interpretation of the information.

9-Communication of results.

10-Writing of the report.

References

1. Bernard R. (1994) Research Methods in Anthropology, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from dphu.org.
2. Bernard R. (2000) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from cleavermonkey.files.wordpress.com
3. Documentary research, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
4. Documentary Research Method: New Dimensions, retrieved August 1, 2017, from indus.edu.pk/RePEc/iih/journl/4(1)2010-(1).
5. Qualitative Research Methods: Documentary Research, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from oocities.org
6. John W. Creswell. Qualitative, quantitive and mixed methods approaches, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from researchgate.net
7. Research Methodology, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from researchgate.net.