BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: DEFINITION, TYPES, TECHNIQUES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The bibliographical research or documentary consists of reviewing existing bibliographic material regarding the subject to study. This is one of the main steps in any investigation and includes the selection of sources of information.

It is considered an essential step because it includes a set of phases that include observation, inquiry, interpretation, reflection and analysis to obtain the necessary bases for the development of any study.

Definition

Different authors have been in charge of conceptualizing the bibliographic research. The definitions made by three prominent authors will be described below:

- Guillermina Baena, Bachelor of Information Sciences (1985): “Documentary research is a technique that consists of the selection and compilation of information by reading, criticizing documents and bibliographic materials, from libraries, newspaper libraries and information centers. documentation and information ”.

- Laura Cázares, researcher at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana de México (2000): “(….) Depends fundamentally on the information that is collected or consulted in documents that can be consulted as a source or reference at any time or place”.

- Manual of the Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (UPEL -2005): “Integration, organization and evaluation of the existing theoretical and empirical information on a problem”.

characteristics

- There is a review of documents to know the state of the subject or object that is being investigated.

- Presents a process that consists of the collection, selection, analysis and presentation of the results.

- It involves complex cognitive processes, such as analysis, synthesis and deduction.

- It is carried out in an orderly manner and with precise objectives.

- Its purpose is to build knowledge.

- It supports the research that is being carried out, at the same time that it avoids carrying out studies that have already been explored.

Types of bibliographic research

In general terms, there are two types of bibliographic or documentary research:

Argumentative or exploratory type

The main objective of the researcher is to take a position on a certain topic to test whether that element to be studied is correct or incorrect. Consider causes, consequences, and possible solutions that will lead to a more critical conclusion.

Informative or expository type

Unlike the previous one, it does not seek to object to a topic but to recreate the theoretical context of the research. To do this, it uses reliable sources, and the selection and analysis of the material in question.

Criteria for material selection

It should be noted that it is vital that the researcher relies on his capacity for analysis and synthesis of ideas to present a fluid and coherent work. During the bibliographic research process, it is necessary to consider a series of criteria for the selection of documentary material:

Relevance

It refers to the fact that the sources must be consistent with the object of study, as well as its objectives, in order to support the research.

Completeness

All sources must be necessary, sufficient and possible, without excluding any that may also represent an important contribution. They must correspond to the objectives set.

Present

Recent research or studies will be taken into account to support the research.

Techniques

It is important to note that before conducting the review of documentary and bibliographic material, it is vital to be clear about the following:

- Determine the topic to be studied, which must match the possibilities of the researcher, framed in a reasonable time with future projection and with a connection to their area of ​​study.

- After this, make a work plan that will serve as a guide for the correct selection of bibliography.

The process of collecting data, information and documents is complex and requires a series of steps for the correct handling of the information:

Accumulate referrals

References include any type of written or audiovisual document that will be essential to support the research.

Select references

The material that respects the quality and current standards will be chosen.

Incorporate elements into the work plan

It is about the organization of the documents chosen in alphabetical or chronological order.

File

It refers to the emptying of the basic information of the collected material, where the appointment to be used, the summary and the comment made by the researcher will be collected.

Write

Placement of specific data.

Confront and verify

The aim is to determine if, indeed, the hypothesis put forward by the author is valid, based on the information collected.

Correct and make final revisions

It refers to the latest arrangements made to the form and substance of the investigation.

Document types

To simplify the search and make it easier, three types of documents are classified:

Primary

They convey information directly. For example, original articles and doctoral theses.

Secondary

They refer to the primary documents and extract the author and type of publication. For example, catalogs and databases.

Tertiary

They synthesize the information found in primary and secondary documents to answer specific questions and questions.

Likewise, another type of document classification can be included:

- Books and monographs: manuals, texts, minutes, anthologies.

- Periodicals: magazines, newspapers, previews.

- Reference publications: indexes, databases, bibliographies.

- Technical publications: standards, patents, technical catalogs.

- Reference material: encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases.

Examples of bibliographic references

In bibliographic research, it is necessary to respect the norms related to the citation of texts. To have a better reference in this regard, here are some examples:

- “Pinillos, José Luis (1975). Principles of Psychology. Madrid: Alliance ”.

- “Taylor, S. and Bogdan, R. (1992). Introduction to qualitative research methods. Barcelona: Paidós ”.

- When it is a chapter in a book: “Martí, Eduardo (1999). Metacognition and learning strategies. In: J Pozo and C. Monereo (Coords.). Strategic learning. (111-121). Madrid: Aula XXI-Santillana ”.

- Scientific journal article: “García Jiménez, E. (1998). A practical theory on evaluation. Revista de Educación, 287, 233-253 ”.

- Article signed in a newspaper: “Debesa, Fabián (200, March 12). Careers and their entry strategies. Clarín, Education Section, p.12 ".

Importance

- Any field of study needs constant study and research.

- It is estimated that, thanks to documentary and bibliographic research, it is possible to achieve good educational training at all levels.

- The progress of scientific studies needs documentation.

- To start any type of study, it is necessary to review the previous material to carry out the research.

References

1. What is the bibliographic review? (sf). In Philosophia, Scientia et Praxis. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Philosophia, Scientia et Praxis de filoncien.blogspot.pe.
2. About bibliographic and documentary research. (2013). In Thesis Guide. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Guiadetesis.wordpress.com Thesis Guide.
3. Córdoba González, Saray. (sf). Bibliographic research. In Ucrindex. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Ucrindex at ucrindex.ucr.ac.cr.
4. Definitions Documentary Research. (sf). On Scribd. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Scribd at es.scribd.com.
5. Bibliographic research. (sf). In Monographs. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Monographs of monogramas.com.
6. Mora De Labastida, Natalia. (sf). Bibliographic research. Main and secondary ideas. In Fido. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In Fido of fido.palermo.edu.
7. Types of research. (sf). In research thesis. Retrieved: March 1, 2018. In research thesis at tesisdeinvestig.blogspot.pe.