Forráskutatási

Forráskutatási, a Hungarian term, translates to "source research" or "source investigation." It refers to the systematic process of identifying, locating, and evaluating sources of information relevant to a particular topic, research question, or historical inquiry. This practice is fundamental to academic research, journalism, historical studies, and any field requiring the verification and substantiation of claims.

The core of forráskutatási involves understanding the nature of available sources, which can be broadly categorized as primary and secondary. Primary sources are original materials from the time period or event being studied, such as diaries, letters, official documents, artifacts, or eyewitness accounts. Secondary sources, on the other hand, are interpretations or analyses of primary sources, including scholarly articles, books, and historical reviews.

Effective forráskutatási necessitates critical evaluation of sources. This involves assessing their authenticity, reliability, bias, and relevance. A researcher must consider who created the source, when and why it was created, and what perspective it represents. By rigorously examining these aspects, one can discern credible information from misinformation and build a well-supported argument or narrative. The process often involves utilizing libraries, archives, databases, and other repositories of knowledge, both physical and digital, to uncover the most pertinent materials.