A Review of Documentation: A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective

Abstract

Documents are tools of communication which are changing rapidly in nature and quantity. Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, digital formats have become ubiquitous. However, documents and documentation have a long pre-digital history. In seeking to survey document types and features, two major online journal databases from the Web of Science database were analysed over a 30-year period to 2020. Documents were classified into types and the (arbitrary) features of format, dimension, production, administration and distribution. Such tabulation of journal documents has not been undertaken previously. As the sampled journals covered a range of fields, the types and features of documentation in selected specialised areas were included. Digitalisation of documentation, especially of rare documents, has accelerated in recent times, contributing to the retention of knowledge and its rapid dissemination, despite the accompanying disadvantages of the digital age, with its largely unregulated social media. Classifying and describing the diversity of existing documents is a major task and we have initiated this process by analysing two scientific databases.

A Social Dimension of Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change: Empowering Local Rural Communities to Confront Extreme Poverty

“…The Power of Effective Communication Documentation has been a critical instrument in transmitting and sharing knowledge and ideas across generations throughout the past. The documents may be composed of inexpensive materials, but their value comes from their creators and authors and the associated ideas [33]. From the outset, the CSP has regularly produced a diverse range of documents to promote crucial but straightforward knowledge and to counter misconceptions.…”

“…"Documents increase our understanding by describing events and environments, as well as providing instructions and guidelines for the present and future and are effective for sharing data and information among large groups" [33] (p. 128). One of the significant achievements of CSP has been documentation of almost all events, financial and work plans, study tours, visits and related activities (Table 2).…”