# source criticism

> process of evaluating an information source

**Wikidata**: [Q2122746](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2122746)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_criticism)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/source-criticism

## Summary
Source criticism is the formal process of evaluating an information source to determine its reliability and origins. It is a subclass of information science and criticism, often used to identify the specific sources utilized by authors and redactors of biblical and historical texts.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Classified as an academic major and a subclass of information science and criticism.
- **Professional Role:** The practice is performed by a specialist known as a source critic.
- **Biblical Application:** In biblical studies, it is used to establish the original sources used by authors and redactors.
- **Technical Skill ID:** Recognized in the ESCO framework with the skill ID 57b7804d-048b-4293-b8ac-a105d0468883.
- **Global Identifiers:** Associated with Freebase ID /m/07tf7k and YSO ID 14440.
- **Reference Documentation:** Described in major works including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition).
- **Linguistic Scope:** Documented in at least 10 Wikipedia languages, including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, and Finnish.
- **Related Entities:** Closely linked to information science, which manages the analysis, collection, classification, and dissemination of information.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main objective of source criticism?
A: The primary objective is the evaluation of an information source. This involves analyzing the source to determine its validity and, in specific fields like biblical studies, identifying the underlying materials used by the text's creators.

### Q: In what academic fields is source criticism practiced?
A: It is primarily a subclass of information science and criticism. It is also recognized as a standalone academic major and is a key component of historical research and biblical analysis.

### Q: What are some alternative names for source criticism?
A: Common aliases include information evaluation, critica de fuentes, and källkritik. In Chinese academic contexts, it is referred to as 考证 (Kǎozhèng) or 史料批判 (shǐliào pīpàn).

## Why It Matters
Source criticism serves as a foundational methodology within information science, a field dedicated to the systematic analysis, collection, and retrieval of information. By providing a structured framework for evaluating sources, it ensures that the dissemination of information is based on verified and understood origins. 

The practice is essential for maintaining the integrity of academic and historical records. In the context of biblical and historical texts, it allows researchers to deconstruct complex documents to find the original contributions of various authors and redactors. Its importance is reflected in its inclusion in major international knowledge bases and encyclopedias, such as the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine and the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary. Furthermore, its classification as a specific ESCO skill highlights its relevance as a professional competency in the modern information economy.

## Notable For
- **Multidisciplinary Utility:** Functions as both a general tool for information science and a specialized method for biblical textual analysis.
- **Standardized Skillset:** Recognized as a formal professional skill (ESCO ID 57b7804d-048b-4293-b8ac-a105d0468883) for information evaluation.
- **Extensive Lexical History:** Known by various regional terms such as "kildekritik" (Danish), "källkritik" (Swedish), and "考证" (Chinese), indicating its global academic adoption.
- **Academic Integration:** Classified as a distinct academic major, distinguishing it from general criticism.

## Body

### Definition and Scope
Source criticism is defined as the process of evaluating an information source. It is an integral part of information science, which is the field concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information. The practice is carried out by source critics who apply these evaluative techniques across various media and historical documents.

### Academic and Historical Context
As an academic major, source criticism is a subclass of both criticism and information science. It has a specific application in the study of biblical texts, where it is used to establish the sources used by authors and redactors. This methodology is documented in various international encyclopedias:
*   **Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition):** Refers to the practice as 考证 (Kǎozhèng).
*   **Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine:** Cataloged under ID 23981.
*   **Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary:** Provides a foundational description of the process.

### Technical Specifications and Identifiers
The entity is tracked through several standardized identification systems:
*   **Lexical IDs:** lex_id: kildekritik; ne.se_id: källkritik.
*   **Database IDs:** yso_id: 14440; museum_digital_tag_id: 101140; jstor_topic_id: source-criticism.
*   **Digital Records:** It was referenced in Freebase as early as October 28, 2013, and was previously tracked by Microsoft Academic (ID 2776658975).

### Related Entities
Source criticism is related to the Amani Library, the largest library in the United Arab Emirates, headquartered in Sharjah. This relationship underscores the connection between the evaluation of sources and the institutions responsible for the collection and storage of information.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013