1. In a sentence or two explain why you chose that source.
Source Reliability
For each topic decide which source would provide more reliable (trustworthy, accurate) information.
In a sentence or two explain why you chose that source.

2. 1. A Child’s 2nd Birthday Party
Source 1
The child retelling the story two years later.
Source 2
The child’s parent retelling the story twenty years later.
Source 2: Though it is later and many details may be lost it is likely that the event was more meaningful to the parent and that a two year old wouldn’t remember anything. Even then, getting a four year old to relay any kind of truth about the event would be nearly impossible.

3. Insanely smart college professor
2. Who Maria has a Crush On
Source 1
13 year old girl
Source 2
Insanely smart college professor
1 – Though a professor is better educated and often an authority, their knowledge is limited to their field. I’m guessing he didn’t major in Maria’s love life. It is far more likely that a girl Maria’s age would know more about the topic.

4. 3. How to Feel Better When You’re Sick
Source 1
Your Grandmother
Source 2
Doctor
2 – Doctor. Grandma might have some good home remedies but a doctor is trained to handle this stuff.

5. A history textbook made in 2006 by a group of American historians.
4. The Roman Empire
Source 1
A painting made in 1870 (over 1,000 years after the end of the empire) by a European.
Source 2
A history textbook made in by a group of American historians.
2 (probably) – Textbooks, while imperfect, are typically well researched. Though the textbook is later both are well over 1,000 years after the event making the relative difference in time very minor. Artists have little to no reason to present the truth in their art and instead want to present and interesting picture. There’s no proof this artist did any research whatsoever.

6. Encyclopedia Britannica 1941 Edition
5. Volcanoes
Source 1
Wikipedia
Source 2
Encyclopedia Britannica Edition
1 – Wikipedia, while imperfect, is a solid source of knowledge and information – especially with a scientific topic. Studies have proven that there are far more errors in Encyclopedia Britannica (especially in a 60+ year old edition) than on Wikipedia.

7. 6. The Arab Conquest of Africa
Source 1
Written accounts by the Arabians
Source 2
Oral accounts by the Africans
Neither/Either. The written accounts are likely biased to make the conquest seem more reasonable. The oral accounts are likely inaccurate due to how they have been passed down.

8. 7. Aztec Religion and Sacrifice
Source 1
Aztec Paintings
Source 2
Written accounts by Spanish Conquistadors
1 – While paintings are not necessarily a reliable source as seen before this one was made at the time by the people involved. It is, therefore, more likely to be accurate. The account by the conquistadors – as with the Arabs above – likely has a strong bias against the Aztecs in order to justify the conquest.

9. 8. The Declaration of Independence
Source 1
1998 Hollywood Movie
Source 2
2002 book for kids and young adults
2 – Hollywood has no responsibility to present historical truth. “Sometimes fiction can be used to tell a greater historical truth.” –Ridley Scott. A book, even one for kids, does have that responsibility.

10. 9. How Columbus Treated the Natives
Source 1
Columbus’ Presentation to Queen Isabella
Source 2
Columbus’ private journal
2 – When discussing our own actions we often exaggerate or clean them up when telling them to others, a private journal is much more likely to be honest and open.

11. 10. What your Grandparents Wore on Their First Date
Source 1
Photo taken on the Date
Source 2
Interview with Grandma when she was 80
1 – Memories get lost over time, photos may fade but still represent what really happened. Unless, of course, they are staged like many of those taken during the Civil War.

12. Xbox
Source 1
Mr. Roughton
Source 2
Mr. Woodside

13. Nintendo
Source 1
Mr. Roughton
Source 2
Mr. Woodside