The Structure of documentary research Refers to the set of steps taken by the researcher in order to carry out a scientific and systematic procedure of inquiry, collection, interpretation and presentation of data and information on a certain subject, using the study and analysis of documents.

In this sense it can be said that documentary research is characterized by working directly or indirectly with documents, whether written or audiovisual.

Besides collecting information from texts, it also uses tabs, slides, plans, discs, movies, among others.

Similarly, it can be said that the structure of documentary research is the basis for building knowledge, since following the steps established therein, a Adequate data collection And information that allow to give answers to the fact studied as well as to generate hypotheses of the same one.

However, it is important to mention that this set of steps that guide documentary research should not be followed in a rigid and closed manner, since its application depends on the type of work, skills, knowledge and possibilities of the researcher.

In that sense, it can be used as a guide and from time to time it can be altered a bit adapting it to the specific characteristics of each investigation, as long as it respects the basic rules for the elaboration of a documentary research; That is why it is said that it can be applied in any field of action.

Structure of Documentary Research

Choice of topic and delimitation

It consists of choosing the subject matter of the research and setting it precisely, framing it within a particular situation or context, which allows us to know what approach is going to be given to the work.

In order to properly choose the research topic and avoid future complications that may cause the research to be not completed, it is necessary for the researcher to ask the following questions:

1-Do I have enough time to finish the research in the established time?

2-Do I have the human and material resources necessary to complete the topic of study?

3-Is the theme novel?

4-What contributions or benefits will it generate?

General and specific objectives

The objectives are the purposes of the study, they express what is intended to be achieved and guide the research, since the main goal is to give answers to them.

It is important to mention that the objectives must be written with a verb to the infinitive and must be precise to avoid confusion in the investigation, the same are divided into general and specific.

General objective:

It is one that expresses in a global way what is wanted to achieve, is the essence of the approach of the problem.

Specific objectives:

They come out of the general objective and its formulation must be oriented to the achievement of it, each specific objective seeks to achieve a part of the overall objective and together give full response.

Specific objectives determine what steps will be taken to achieve the overall goal.

Location selection and collection of information from different sources

Once the topic to be studied is defined, one can begin to seek the information necessary for the development of the research and to achieve the stated objectives.

For that, the researcher must go to the direct sources of information, which are called"documentary unit", which represents the physical space (libraries, sites of interest that are related to research, web pages, among others) where the Documents that are useful for research.

Organization of data

It refers to organizing the information in a way that allows classification according to the response to the investigation.

For this it is necessary to organize a work file through the classification, codification and hierarchy of the same, using for that the research files.

Research sheets

The research sheets are the physical or virtual instruments that make it possible to order the data of the documentary sources consulted and the information related to the subject matter of the research, in order to give answers to the established objectives.

Design of the work scheme

In this aspect it is established the way in which the subject of research will be approached, for that it will be necessary to make a diagram or work scheme.

It is the research plan, since it allows identifying what are the elements that make up the same and what order should be followed to carry out the research.

The most common outline formats commonly used in documentary research are:

1-The box with keys.

2-The numerical section.

3. The mixed scheme (combination of the key scheme and the numerical subsection).

Drafting a draft

The draft is the first written text of the research carried out by the researcher and will allow the results of the research to be announced.

It is done in order that the ideas expressed acquire a permanent character and can be consulted by future researchers.

It is important to note that the draft will be subject to corrections in order to present a final written text that complies with all the established parameters. The draft should contain the following content:

1-Title.

2-Introduction.

3-Objectives of the research.

4-Description of content.

5-Methodology to follow.

Writing final written report

Once the draft has been revised and corrected, the work is presented in accordance with the guidelines established in each country's and institution's research submission manuals.

Phases of documentary research

Some authors point out that the structure of documentary research is divided into two phases, one theoretical and one operational. The following is a schematic that breaks down both phases:

The theoretical phase consists of:

1-Selection of the theme.

2-General arching of the sources: the source, the data and the documentation.

3- Exploring the area or first collecting data.

4- Location and delimitation of the problem.

5- Problem statement.

6- Scope.

The operational phase consists of:

1-Work plan.

2-Synthetic scheme.

3-Formulation of the problem.

4-Approach hypothesis or theoretical proposals.

5-Techniques of content analysis.

6-The summary.

7-Data processing.

8-Analysis and interpretation of information.

9-Communication of results.

10-Writing the report.

References

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2. Bernard R. (2000) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from cleavermonkey.files.wordpress.com
3. Documentary research, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
4. Documentary Research Method: New Dimensions, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from indus.edu.pk/RePEc/iih/journl/4(1)2010-(1).
5. Qualitative Research Methods: Documentary Research, retrieved on August 01, 2017, from oocities.org
6. John W. Creswell. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, retrieved on August 1, 2017, from researchgate.net
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