Hovedkildene

Hovedkildene is a term used in Norwegian academic practice to refer to the main sources that form the foundation of a study. It denotes the primary evidence or direct material that directly informs the topic, as opposed to sekundære kilder (secondary sources) that interpret, summarize, or evaluate the primary material. The concept is applied across disciplines such as history, archaeology, philology, and social sciences, and the specific forms of hovedkildene vary by field. In history, for example, parish records, court documents, letters, and newspapers may constitute hovedkildene, while in archaeology, artifacts and field records serve a similar role.

Selection and evaluation of hovedkildene follow criteria of relevance, authenticity, proximity in time, and credibility. Researchers apply source criticism to assess authorship, purpose, context, and potential bias, recognizing that hovedkildene often present partial or perspective-biased views. Because of these limitations, scholars typically triangulate hovedkildene with other sources to build a more robust interpretation.

Usage and presentation: In published work, authors identify and justify the main sources early in the study, explaining how these sources are interpreted and what they reveal about the topic. Acknowledgment of gaps, deterioration, or preservation biases is common, as is transparent discussion of how the hovedkildene shape conclusions. This approach helps readers evaluate the evidentiary basis of the research.