DOI: 10.7256/2454-0609.2019.3.28833

Abstract: The article presents a source study analysis of the statistical compilation "The Iron Industry of Southern Russia" for the years 1902 - 1915, and the publication "A Collection of Statistical Information on the Mining Industry of Russia" for the years 1901 - 1911, in relation to the number of workers, their allocation in manufactories and employment occupation. The study's research subject is an in-depth study of the quantitative data concerning the workers presented in the named sources. The author examines in detail the quality and accuracy of the information regarding the number of workers in factories, their allocation in workshops, accommodation and marital status in sections of annual and monthly values. In order to determine the relative accuracy of the number and distribution of workers in manufactories, the author applied mathematical methods. In particular, the author compared the data of various Source tables with the aim of identifying possible inaccuracies and errors, with the Source tables also being subjected to cross-checking. The study's main conclusions are the identification of inaccuracies in the sources' calculations and the detection of typographical errors, the elimination of these faults and the use of corrected data which significantly improves the quality of the original historical material. Additionally, the author proves that the existing errors and inconsistencies do not adversely affect the use of the source content, and their total number and proportion is extremely small in reference to the whole volume of quantitative data, which therefore allows the author to recognize that the collections in question are reliable sources of information.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0609.2018.4.26614

Abstract: The article presents a source study analysis of the statistical collection "The Iron Industry of Southern Russia", published by the Statistical Bureau of the Council of the Congress of Mining Industrialists of Southern Russia in 1901-1917. The subject of this work is an in-depth study of the quantitative data presented in the named collection in relation to pipe production. The author examines in detail the quality and reliability of the calculations presented in the historical source regarding the production of iron and metal pipes and their parts, their production and stock in sections of monthly and annual information, as well as of the increasing total. In order to determine the comparative reliability of production and market indicators, the author used mathematical methods. In particular, to identify possible inaccuracies and errors, the author compared the indicators of the source's various tables, which were also subjected to a cross recheck. In addition, the author applied the systematic approach when the examined data were included in a system of other indicators. The study's main findings are the revealed inaccuracies in calculations and the detection of errors, which when eliminated and the corrected data used instead creates the foundation that significantly improves the quality of the historical material. Additionally, the author proved that the existing errors and inconsistencies do not distort the overall structure of the production and market indicators, as their total number and share is extremely small in the total volume of the quantitative data, which thus makes it possible to recognize the statistical collection "The Iron Industry of Southern Russia" as a reliable source.