algallikast

Algallikast is a term in Estonian describing the practice of deriving information or conclusions from the primary source. The word is a compound of algallikas, meaning origin or source, and the elative suffix -st, yielding roughly “from the source.” In scholarly and journalistic contexts, algallikast signals that claims should be traced back to original documents, data sets, or testimonies rather than to secondary summaries or reports.

The concept is closely linked to provenance and source attribution and is used across disciplines, including humanities, journalism, and information technology. In research, adopting algallikast criteria means presenting references to the primary evidence and, when possible, providing access to it to enable independent verification. In data governance, it aligns with data lineage and traceability, where the path of information from its origin to its current form is documented.

Limitations include differences in the availability or reliability of primary sources, potential bias in initial records, and the practical challenge of tracing every claim in complex systems. Proponents argue that algallikast improves transparency and reproducibility, while critics note that primary sources may be incomplete or contested.

See also: provenance, primary source, source attribution, data lineage.