What are Non Documentary Sources of Information and their Benefits?

Non-documentary sources of information often refer to sources of information that are not written or recorded in a document. This can include interviews, observations, and surveys.
Interviews are one of the most common non-documentary sources of information. This can include interviews with experts, witnesses, or other people related to the topic you are researching. Through interviews, you can gain valuable insights, perspectives, and stories that can help to inform your research.
Observations are another common non-documentary source of information. Observations involve studying a situation or event and making notes based on what you see. This can include field studies, site visits, or simply watching people in their natural environment. Through observations, you can gain valuable insights, perspectives, and stories that can help to inform your research.
Surveys are another common non-documentary source of information. Surveys involve asking people specific questions about a particular topic, and then collecting the data in order to analyze the results. Surveys can be administered either online or in-person, and can provide valuable insights into people’s opinions and preferences.
Overall, non-documentary sources of information can provide valuable insights and perspectives on a particular topic or issue. They can help to inform your research in a way that documents and other written sources of information cannot. By utilizing interviews, observations, and surveys, you can gain valuable insights and stories that can help to shape your research and inform your conclusions.
Benefits of non-documentary sources of information with examples
Non-documentary sources of information, such as interviews, surveys, and observations, can provide valuable insights into a topic. They can be used to augment traditional documentary sources, such as books and articles, to provide a more comprehensive picture of an issue or phenomenon.
Interviews are a useful non-documentary source of information. They allow researchers to get direct feedback from people who have experienced or observed the topic being studied. Interviews can be conducted in person or over the phone, and can be structured or unstructured. For example, a researcher studying the effects of climate change on coastal communities might interview local fishermen to get their perspectives on the issue.
Surveys are another type of non-documentary source of information. Surveys can be used to collect data from a large group of people in a relatively short amount of time. Common survey methods include questionnaires and polls. For instance, a researcher studying public opinion on a new policy initiative might administer a survey to get feedback from a wide range of people.
Observations are a third type of non-documentary source of information. Observations involve directly observing people, places, or objects in order to collect data. Observations can be qualitative, such as noting people’s interactions in a public park, or quantitative, such as counting the number of cars in a parking lot. For example, a researcher studying the effects of gentrification in a neighborhood might observe the changes in the landscape over time.
Overall, non-documentary sources of information, such as interviews, surveys, and observations, can be a valuable complement to traditional documentary sources of information. They can provide a more comprehensive view of a topic, and can help researchers gain a better understanding of the issue they are studying.