Description
Book SynopsisUniting methods from disciplines across the social sciences and humanities, this hands-on guide develops a novel approach to doing document analysis. The authors present a framework for studying documents that enables you to conduct a rich and systematic analysis of documents in all their diversity.
Focussing on document analysis both in practice and as practice, the book provides you with an innovative and versatile toolkit for analysing print and digital documents. It also:
- Highlights the impacts of digitalisation on documents themselves and the methods used to study them
- Has a strong focus on research ethics and critical engagement with digital sources
- Offers practical guidance on preparing and doing a document analysis research project.
The book offers insightful perspectives both on the indispensable role of documents in our society and practical advice on how you can best analyse documents and their significance.
Trade ReviewSocial science has increasingly turned to document practices to understand the social processes. But this book actually explains how to do it! Systematic and brimming with insights, this will be an invaluable guide for researchers in fields from history to anthropology and science and technology. -- Matthew Hull
Documents weave through practices. They help to make the world. But how to analyse them? In this beautiful but thoroughly down-to-earth book Asdal and Reinertsen have created an indispensable guide to the ins and outs of analysing documents in practice. Highly recommended. -- John Law
This is a fascinating, clearly written and much needed guide to the often overlooked world of documents. Ideal for students, researchers and experienced academics, this book will be an invaluable resource to anyone interested in researching the role documents play in the societies in which we live. -- Hannah Knox
Asdal and Reinertsen provide a cutting-edge but also hands-on introduction to analysing documents that is accessible to an interdisciplinary audience. I have never recommended as many students to get a book as soon as it is out. -- Maximilian Fochler
Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION: PRACTICE-ORIENTED DOCUMENT ANALYSIS PART I: CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK Chapter 1: Document sites Chapter 2: Document tools Chapter 3: Document work Chapter 4: Document texts Chapter 5: Document issues Chapter 6: Document movements Chapter 7: Practice-oriented document analysis: The six concepts combined Part II: PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DOING RESEARCH WITH DOCUMENTS Chapter 8: Practical techniques Chapter 9: Handling digital documents Chapter 10: Ensuring good and ethical practice Part III: FOUNDATIONAL DISCUSSIONS Chapter 11: The turn to practice in analysing documents
