1. The Development of Public Health 1800-1914
How to get the top marks on source questions

2. Why Questions…?
Why was this published? Why was this made? What is the sources purpose? What is the authors point of view?
These questions want you to work out what the source is about and what the purpose of it was. For example, what the motive of the person making it was and/or by placing it in its historical context or by linking it to what you know – the DATE will often help you to do this!
Identify why it was made – what is its purpose.
This was published because…
Support this with details from the source.
I can tell this from the source because I can see ….
This shows that…
Use your own knowledge about what was happening at the time to support your point
At the time …
Therefore this source was published to…

3. Why was this source published in 1911?
Identify why it was made – what is its purpose.
This was published because…
Support this with details from the source.
I can tell this from the source because I can see ….
This shows that…
Use your own knowledge about what was happening at the time to support your point
At the time …
Therefore this source was published to…
A Liberal Party election poster from 1911
HELPLFUL HINT – What had the Liberals introduced by 1911? Why is the fact that this is an election poster significant?

4. Say how the source is useful.
How Questions…
How useful/reliable/accurate/fair is this source for finding out about …
These questions want you to use your own knowledge to explain the good and bad points of the source.
Say how the source is useful.
The source is reliable because… For example its says… I know this is true because… Also it is by … so it is a reliable view of…
Say how the source isn’t completely useful.
However this source is not completely reliable because it doesn’t tell us… For example I know that is exaggerated …
Also its not completely reliable because it is by … who would have …

5. From Rowntree’s survey of the poor in York, published in 1901
Overcrowding and unhealthy conditions of all kinds are common in the slums and back-to-back houses in which ventilation is impossible. The water supply is very inadequate. One tap is often the only supply for a large number of houses. In some cases the tap which supplies the drinking water is fixed in the wall of the privy. Heaps of all kinds of rubbish are spread all over the yard. Privies are shared by several houses. They are particularly offensive in these over-populated districts.
From Rowntree’s survey of the poor in York, published in 1901
How reliable is this source for finding out about living conditions in 1901?
Say why the source is reliable.
The source is reliable because… For example its says… I know this is true because… Also it is by … so it is a reliable view of…
Say why the source isn’t completely reliable.
However this source is not completely reliable because it doesn’t tell us… For example I know that is exaggerated …
Also its not completely reliable because it is by … who would have …
HELPFUL HINTS
What does it say that is accurate? Link quotes to your own knowledge to prove this.
What does it say that is inaccurate or exaggerated ? Link quotes to your own knowledge to prove this.
Don’t forget to include comments about TYPICALITY

6. Explain which is best using the source and your own knowledge.
Comparison Questions - Utility
Which source do you think gives the more accurate view of/which is the more
The key to this question is to evaluate both source AND to make and support direct comparisons between the sources especially in the conclusion.
Explain which is best using the source and your own knowledge.
I think the most accurate view is …
For example its says… I know this accurate because… Also It is by and this would give an accurate view because…
Explain why the other source is not as good
I don’t think … is as accurate because…. For example it says… This shows that… Also it is by … which might make it inaccurate because …
Reach a conclusion
Overall the best source is … It is better than … because …

7. Source 1
‘Songsheet - The lamentation of Old Father Thames’ by William Heath, produced
Which source do you think gives the more accurate view of the state of Public Health in Britain in the 1850s? Use details of the source and your own knowledge to support your answer.
Explain which is best using the source and your own knowledge.
I think the most accurate view is …
For example its says… I know this accurate because… Also It is by and this would give an accurate view because…
Explain why the other source is not as good
I don’t think … is as accurate because…. For example it says… This shows that… Also it is by … which might make it inaccurate because …
Reach a conclusion
Overall the best source is … It is better than … because …
Source 2
A national board of health is to be created with the power to set up local health boards where there is a high death rate
Local Boards of Health have powers to:
- Make sure new houses are built with drains and toilets
- Charge a local rate to pay for improvements
- Appoint medical officers who can ‘inspect nuisances’
Excerpts from the 1848 Public Health Act

8. Comparison Questions – How far
How far does X support/disagree with y…. Does source X prove that source Y is …
The key to this question is to make and support direct comparisons between the sources especially in the conclusion.
Agree with the statement - Explain how the sources agree by comparing examples from each.
Source 2 says that … which agrees with the attitude in source 1 because …
Disagree agree with the statement - Discuss how they do not agree in some ways/explain why source 2 might not be fully reliable as proof
However source 2 does show that attitudes are not completely the same because… Also it might be completely reliable because …
Conclude How far

9. Source 1
A cartoon from a Liberal Party leaflet published in Lord Halsbury had been a Conservative government minister but was now retired.
How far do these cartoons agree? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer.
Agree with the statement - Explain how the sources agree by comparing examples from each.
Source 2 says that … which agrees with the attitude in source 1 because …
Disagree agree with the statement - Discuss how they do not agree in some ways/explain why source 2 might not be fully reliable as proof
However source 2 does show that attitudes are not completely the same because… Also it might be completely reliable because …
Source 2
A cartoon published in 1911
Pitiless = cruel
Philanthropist = person who tried to do good

10. The Big Question – 16 Marks!!!

11. Using the sources and your own knowledge how far do you agree that…
… Government was the most important factor in the development of Public Health? … individuals were the main reason Cholera was stopped? … the Liberal Reforms were a popular development? … The poor had a negative a negative experience of Public Health in the period? … Public Health improved little between 1800 and 1914?
Explain 2-3 examples from the sources in combination with 2-3 examples from your own knowledge that AGREE with the statement - – You must link the sources with what you know about the question.
Explain 2-3 examples from the sources in combination with 2-3 examples from your own knowledge that DISAGREE with the statement – You must link the sources with what you know about the question.
Reach a conclusion - HOW FAR do you agree or disagree??? Support and explain this