How to use the source

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Periodicals as a means for comparison with other sources

The periodicals are very important sources especially in comparing the archival/state documents with the daily or weekly news. One can follow the development of a particular incident in the society through these sources, but at the same time the data in newspapers, journals and magazines can show that the state policies (for example educational policies) sometimes did not bring the targeted consequences.

One of the most important points in utilizing these sources is the need to for critical reading. As the political views of newspapers, journals and magazine vary, one has to consult sources from different views in order to get a balanced understanding of a particular event. As far as the history of education and pedagogy is concerned, the newspapers include especially news concerning the opening of new schools, graduation ceremonies, and functioning of the schools etc. The magazines and journals on the other hand include stories and experiences of teachers which are quite important for the history of education in a particular region.

Periodicals as sources of local history

For some periods and regions, newspapers, journals and magazines offer the only major source of comprehensive information and documentation. Especially, the local periodicals appeared to be one of the most salient sources or micro-history. The daily, weekly or monthly information they offer and the popular language used made them more popular and easily accessible for the researchers. Unlike the nation-wide periodicals, the local ones give quite detailed stories on local affairs and the people of the locality.⁹ That newspaper, journals and magazines yield an unusually rich view of the history and culture and that they are not as “boring” as archival documents or other sources make them more attractive for researchers.

⁹For some examples see Talip Atalay, “Yerel Bir Tarihi Kaynak Olarak Diyarbekir Vilayet Gazetesi ve Ermeniler” Ankara Üniversitesi Ilahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, (2006), No:1, pp. 143-158 and Ebubekir Ceylan, The Ottoman Provincial Press in Baghdad and the Zewra Newspaper (1830-1872), 3rd Symposium on History of Printing and Publishing in the Languages and Countries of the Middle East, Leipzig (Germany), 24-27 September 2008. (http://www.hpplcme.ovh.org/syn/abstr.php?num=14 ).

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