Experience in Applying Descriptive Statistics Methods on Small Data Amount (Analyzing Letters of 15th Century Narva Magistrate from Tallinn City Archive)

Abstract

The article is the result of the primary experience of the use of statistical and visualization methods in medieval studies when working with small and fragmented data sets on the example of the research of medieval Narva. Due to the complete absence of documents for the period under research in the Narva archive, researchers have to refer to the materials stored in the Tallinn City Archives, that represent a one-sided sample (only outgoing correspondence from Narva). The author attempts to visualize the material and correlate the data obtained on the administrative structure of Narva, the specifics of the relationship between the Magistrate and the power of the Livonian Order and the Russian-Livonian trade with the conclusions made earlier based on separate plots. The author concludes, even a small amount of data can reflect the dynamics of processes that took place in the Middle Ages. The use of descriptive statistics helps to organize and visualize data, as well as to confirm conclusions drawn on the basis of specific facts, which would otherwise be difficult to include in the general context. However, it is worth remembering the shortcomings of the sample and confirming the results with data from other sources. The correct use of visualization tools contributes to a more complete and clear presentation of the results of the research, which may not be obvious during the primary or partial analysis of the source.