Electronic historical sources: definition, classification, physical essence, specific characteristics

The article discusses the problems related to the current state of the methodology of source studies, its development in the context of the information age. The author focuses on the analysis of the historiography created over the past 70 years for the study of electronic documents, electronic files and other types and varieties of digital information, combined by the term «electronic historical sources» (EII). At the same time, the research examines both initially digital (born-digital) and transformed and mixed electronic historical sources that make up the modern source base of most historical and source studies. The article formulates the definition of the concept of «electronic historical sources»; their place in source classifications is determined (EII are positioned as an independent type of historical sources); their general physical characteristics and specific distinguishing features are described, requiring the development of new methods and techniques for scientific criticism of sources of this type, as well as the expansion of research skills and tools through the widespread use of information technology. The author analyzes the experience of document management and archival science, disciplines close to source studies, which were the first to encounter electronic documents and files and have already developed certain approaches and methods of working with these objects. Based on the results of studying extensive domestic and foreign historiography, the author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to integrate the methods and techniques of these disciplines into modern source studies in order to enrich the tools of source criticism and its adaptation to the conditions and specifics of the information age and new types and types of historical sources.