Research EVALUATING SOURCES Primary vs. Secondary Reliability

What is “research?” Simply— Finding information you need

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 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, letters, journals, interviews, photographs, artifacts Secondary Source –Book, newspaper or magazine article that refers to a primary source

Reliability Is this a reliable-dependable- 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 1. Author / Creator –Who is this person? What are her credentials? Is she qualified to write about this? Do you trust him? Why?

Reliability Questions to Ask 2. 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 3. “Time & Place Rule” (Primary) –How close in time & place to the event? 4. Currency (Secondary Sources) –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”

Research