Research EVALUATING SOURCES Primary vs. Secondary Reliability

Definition Source— Where you get information

Is the source from the original time or event that you are researching? Primary Source Secondary Source

Is the source from the original time or event that you are researching? YES Primary Sources A document or item from the time being studied.

Is the source from the original time or event that you are researching? YES Primary Sources Speeches Letters Autobiography Journals Artifacts Interviews Photographs Newspaper Article

Is the source from the original time or event that you are researching? NO Secondary Source –Cites primary source –Example—book about the Civil War with a quote from the Gettysburg Address

Is the source from the original time or event that you are researching? Primary Source –Speeches, autobiography, letters, journals, interviews, photographs, artifacts Secondary Source –Book, biography, newspaper or magazine article that refers to a primary source

Reliability Definition Is this a reliable source to use to get information? Is the information in this magazine credible (believable), or incredible? How do we find out?

Reliability Questions to Ask Author / Creator –Who is this person? What are her credentials? Is she qualified to write about this? Do you trust him? What are his biases?

Reliability Questions to Ask The Writing / Information –Is it accurate? –Does it avoid stereotypes? –Does the author distinguish between theory & fact –Balanced, presenting both sides

Reliability Questions to Ask “Time & Place Rule” (Primary) Closer to THAT time in history, the better –How close in time & place to the event? Currency (Secondary Sources) Closer to current time, the better –How old is this source? Has anything happened since it was written that would affect its reliability?

Reliability Questions to Ask Author –Qualified? Trustworthy? Bias? The Information / Writing –Accurate, avoid stereotypes, balanced Currency or “Time & Place Rule”

Did you learn anything today? Turn and Talk: Analyze Freedom Walkers Is it a primary or secondary source? Explain your answer. Is it reliable? Explain your answer.

Sorting activity Open your envelopes. First, sort them into primary and secondary sources Raise hand to have it checked Second, rank the reliability of those sources. Raise hand to have it checked. Clean up after yourself and turn in the envelope.

Research EVALUATING SOURCES Primary vs. Secondary Reliability