Archive Searching for Research

Archival research is not just for historians. Communication researchers can use archival research in a multitude of ways, such as identifying texts for analysis, tracing discourses over time, gaining insight into the socio-historic context of a community, revisiting sedimented narratives through alternative lenses, and more. This entry describes different approaches to archival research and offers practical advice for searching archives.

Approaches and Dimensions of Archival Research

There are several different definitions of the term archive, which are reflected in various approaches to archival research. First, archives can refer to any compilation of materials that are old or of historical interest. Therefore, one approach to archival research is the systematic investigation of old materials, including magazines, newspapers, speeches, letters, films, advertisements, political cartoons, playbills, and company records. ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles