Olesia Drozdovska
PhD in Philologi, Senior Research Fellow,
Senior Researcher of the Research Institute for Press Studies
Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library of Ukraine in Lviv
(Lviv, Ukraine)
DOI:
The Biographical Apporoach in Press Studies
In contemporary humanities research, both in Ukraine and internationally, a person-centred approach to the study of historical processes has gained increasing prominence. Accordingly, scholarly interest in the history of Ukrainian print journalism in the 19th and early 20th centuries – examined through the lens of individual biographies and the creative contributions of those involved in publishing, editing, and writing – appears highly relevant. This article aim to outline the key features of the biographical approach within the field of press studies. Its objectives are to define the purpose, research focus, and core methodological tools of biographical oriented inquiries; to identify the principal sources of information; and to highlight the typical challenges faced by researchers. The study employs a range of general and specialised research methods. The article’s offers a theoretical framework for understanding the biographical approach in Ukrainian press studies as a coherent and integrated research practice. It identifies its main methodological foundations, key source categories, and discusses recurring research challenges.
Conclusions. The biographical dimension of press studies entails not only reconstructing individuals life stories but also examining involvement in shaping the Ukrainian media landscape of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The key sources include periodicals, archival documents, and personal writings such as memoirs and diaries. Among the challenges scholars encounter are the identification of founders, owners and contributors; distinguishing between formal and actual editors or publishers; identifying pseudonyms; differentiating between individuals with identical names; and compiling comprehensive bibliographies of journalists’ work.
Keywords: history of the Ukrainian press, press studies, biographical approach, creative legacy, figures in Ukrainian journalism.
Full text
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