upphafssamantekt

Upphafssamantekt is a term used in Icelandic scholarship to denote the initial stage of gathering sources, data, or artefacts at the outset of a project. It describes the activities of identifying, collecting, and organizing foundational material that will inform later analysis or development.

Etymology: The word combines upphaf meaning origin or beginning and samantekt meaning collection or compilation. It is part of Icelandic scholarly vocabulary and is used across fields such as archaeology, literary studies, and information science.

Applications: In archaeology and history, upphafssamantekt refers to an early survey of field sites, catalogs, and archival records to establish a baseline dataset. In the humanities and digital humanities, it denotes the initial literature and source review to map the research landscape. In software and product development, it can describe the initial gathering of user needs, requirements, and constraints before detailed design.

Methodology: The process is typically systematic and iterative, with a defined scope, inclusion criteria, and a documented trail. It emphasizes provenance of sources, reproducibility, and the establishment of metadata standards to support subsequent phases of the project.

Limitations and scope: Upphafssamantekt is provisional and subject to revision as new information emerges or project aims evolve. It serves as a foundation rather than a final selection, guiding later sampling, analysis, and decision-making.

See also: samantekt, upphaf, research methodology, literature review.