This document discusses evaluating different types of sources for research. It defines primary sources as original materials created by witnesses or participants of an event, while secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. Print sources typically go through rigorous editing and review processes, while online sources can be published by anyone without oversight. Key factors in evaluating sources include determining authorship and affiliations, identifying sources and quotations, assessing potential biases, and evaluating author qualifications.
This document discusses evaluating different types of sources for research. It defines primary sources as original materials created by witnesses or participants of an event, while secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. Print sources typically go through rigorous editing and review processes, while online sources can be published by anyone without oversight. Key factors in evaluating sources include determining authorship and affiliations, identifying sources and quotations, assessing potential biases, and evaluating author qualifications.
This document discusses evaluating different types of sources for research. It defines primary sources as original materials created by witnesses or participants of an event, while secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. Print sources typically go through rigorous editing and review processes, while online sources can be published by anyone without oversight. Key factors in evaluating sources include determining authorship and affiliations, identifying sources and quotations, assessing potential biases, and evaluating author qualifications.
This document discusses evaluating different types of sources for research. It defines primary sources as original materials created by witnesses or participants of an event, while secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. Print sources typically go through rigorous editing and review processes, while online sources can be published by anyone without oversight. Key factors in evaluating sources include determining authorship and affiliations, identifying sources and quotations, assessing potential biases, and evaluating author qualifications.
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EVALUATING SOURCES
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources
Evaluating Print and Online Sources Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources
Whether conducting research in the social
sciences, humanities (especially history), arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential. Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources
This distinction illustrates the degree to
which the author of a piece is removed from the actual event being described, informing the reader as to whether the author is reporting impressions first hand (or is first to record these immediately following an event), or conveying the experiences and opinions of others—that is, second hand. Primary Sources
These are contemporary accounts of an
event, written by someone who experienced or witnessed the event in question. These original documents (i.e., they are not about another document or account) are often diaries, letters, memoirs, journals, speeches, manuscripts, interviews and other such unpublished works. Primary Sources
They may also include published pieces
such as newspaper or magazine articles (as long as they are written soon after the fact and not as historical accounts), photographs, audio or video recordings, research reports in the natural or social sciences, or original literary or theatrical works. Secondary Sources
The function of these is to interpret primary
sources, and so can be described as at least one step removed from the event or phenomenon under review. Secondary source materials, then, interpret, assign value to, conjecture upon, and draw conclusions about the events reported in primary sources. Secondary Sources
These are usually in the form of published
works such as journal articles or books, but may include radio or television documentaries, or conference proceedings. Defining Questions How does the author know these details (names, dates, times)? Was the author present at the event or soon on the scene? Where does this information come from—personal experience, eyewitness accounts, or reports written by others? Are the author's conclusions based on a single piece of evidence, or have many sources been taken into account (e.g., diary entries, along with third-party eyewitness accounts, impressions of contemporaries, newspaper accounts)? Evaluating Print and Online Sources
With the advent of the World Wide Web, we
are seeing a massive influx of digital texts and sources. Understanding the difference between what you can find on the web and what you can find in more traditional print sources is key. Evaluating Print and Online Sources
Some sources such as journal or newspaper articles
can be found in both print and digital format. However, much of what is found on the Internet does not have a print equivalent, and hence, has low or no quality standards for publication. Understanding the difference between the types of resources available will help you evaluate what you find. Publication Process
Print Sources: Traditional print sources go
through an extensive publication process that includes editing and article review. The process has fact-checkers, multiple reviewers, and editors to ensure quality of publication. Publication Process
Internet Sources: Anyone with a computer
and access to the Internet can publish a website or electronic document. Most web documents do not have editors, fact- checkers, or other types of reviewers. Authorship and Affiliations
Print Sources: Print sources clearly indicate
who the author is, what organization(s) he or she is affiliated with, and when his or her work was published. Authorship and Affiliations
Internet Sources: Authorship and affiliations
are difficult to determine on the Internet. Some sites may have author and sponsorship listed, but many do not. Sources and Quotations
Print Sources: In most traditional
publications, external sources of information and direct quotations are clearly marked and identified. Internet Sources: Sources the author used or referred to in the text may not be clearly indicated in an Internet source. Bias and Special Interests
Print Sources: While bias certainly exists in
traditional publications, printing is more expensive and difficult to accomplish. Most major publishers are out to make a profit and will either not cater to special interest groups or will clearly indicate when they are catering to special interest groups. Bias and Special Interests
Internet Sources: The purpose of the online
text may be misleading. A website that appears to be factual may actually be persuasive and/or deceptive. Author Qualifications
Print Sources: Qualifications of an author
are almost always necessary for print sources. Only qualified authors are likely to have their manuscripts accepted for publication. Author Qualifications
Internet Sources: Even if the author and
purpose of a website can be determined, the qualifications of the author are not always given. Publication Information
Print Sources: Publication information such
as date of publication, publisher, author, and editor are always clearly listed in print publications. Publication Information
Internet Sources: Dates of publication and
timeliness of information are questionable on the internet. Dates listed on websites could be the date posted, date updated, or a date may not be listed at all. Examples REMEMBER Sources
Distinguishing between Primary and Secondary Sources. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://library.ucsc.edu/help/howto/distinguish-between-primary-and-secondary- sources Driscoll, Dana Lynn and Brizee, Allen. Evaluating Print vs. Internet Sources. 6 June 2010. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/553/04/ Primary vs. Secondary Sources. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://lib1.bmcc.cuny.edu/help/sources.html