Popularizar ou perecer: a potencialidade informacional dos arquivos na internet

Abstract

Qualitative analysis of the epistemic relationship between archival diffusion and its possible interfaces with the processes of science popularization in the approach of the Information Science. As the science popularization refers to an activity with the purpose of making the scientific knowledge accessible and intelligible to a non-specialized or lay public, theories and practices of the Archival Science present the function of diffusion as a means for access to knowledge about the archives. Would there be a possible dialogue between both? As a methodological proposal, in a first phase, the bibliographical revision consolidated the theoretical axis of the investigation on the foundations of Information Science, of the science popularization and of the Archival Science. Then, an exploratory survey allowed the selection of diffusion actions practiced in the electronic portals of two archival institutions: the Public Archives of the State of São Paulo and the National Archives of Brazil. The verification of the empirical field occurred through interviews with the producers of the diffusion actions from selected archival institutions, being analyzed through content analysis. The research results may contribute to the strengthening of the interdisciplinary articulations between Archival Science and Information Science and science popularization, as well as stimulate the approach of the archival institutions with the society, leading to a more popular and democratic communication of the archives through the digital environment of the internet.