Citation

Salmon LM. Am. J. Sociol. 1926; 32(2): 217-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1926, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/214089

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The newspaper and research seem terms mutually exclusive, but common ground can be found. Need for research in regard to the press exists everywhere. Is it to be carried on by the historian or by the journalist? The tendency toward cooperation in all historical work is one reason for deciding in favor of the historian. Another reason is that he understands the technique of historical research as the journalist cannot be expected to do. The journalist is as ill adapted for historical research as the historian is for journalism. Division of labor leaves the crosscut section of human life to the journalist, while the historian studies its longitudinal development. Although scarcely a beginning has as yet been made in the field of research as it concerns the periodical press, the recognition of its importance is a great step in advance. The realization of the reciprocal dependence of the journalist and the historian must bring still greater gain.