Social Studies Skills and Methods Mini-Unit Social Studies Skills and Methods

Accounts can take different forms Written Spoken Recorded Drawn Photographed Re-created Sung Recited Performed Artifacts

Thus… All accounts are created by people Each person who creates an account has their own perspective Each person who creates such an account “selects” what is to be included and what is to be left out of the account based on their own perspective

Different Perspectives are shaped by Age Personality Time and Place Background Specific agenda Experiences Education Intelligence Ability to focus Knowledge Connections Significance ALL PERSPECTIVES ARE BIASED

Sources Information which the account is based upon comes from various types of SOURCES Primary First-hand accounts Physical remains and artifacts Geographic/visual records Written testimony/diaries/letters Oral records Secondary A written account made by someone who has analyzed primary sources and other secondary sources A secondary source is an interpretation

Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources Primary Sources: Lots of details BUT sometimes loses the “big picture” Usually has feelings and emotions BUT may not always be objective Eyewitness accounts BUT usually only a narrow or single perspective At the time of the event BUT does not always have time for reflection Personal account BUT does not always recognize other sources

Evaluating primary and secondary sources, cont’d… After the fact, time for reflection BUT something may be forgotten Objective, broad perspective BUT no real participation by historian Familiarity with and use of other sources BUT no personal involvement Usually a focus on the big picture BUT often lacking some details

Similarities Both can be written sources Both are based on the perspective, experiences and knowledge, etc. of the person making the account Both are selective Both provide information which needs to be evaluated

Evaluating Sources Questions to ask: Is the source valid? Do the biases in the source make it invalid? Are there contradictions or inconsistencies in the source? Is the source mostly FACT or OPINION?

Checking a source’s credibility, accuracy, validity, usefulness Identify fact or opinion in the source Internal checks: Look for contradictions and inconsistencies External checks: Check other sources Overall credibility

Checking a source’s credibility, accuracy, validity, usefulness, cont’d… Describe the source Primary or secondary Who made the source Basic message/information in the source Describe the context Why was the source made (when, where)? Purpose of the source Audience Evaluate the source Conclusions/interpretations Fact or opinion How is the source organized Any contradictions/inconsistencies Evaluate the creator of the source Biases/mistakes/prejudices