1. What is a Source? A source can be a magazine article a newspaper article a journal article a book a chapter from a textbook an encyclopedia entry an interview or survey that you do yourself

2. What type of information can sources provide?  Background information or the history of your topic  Definitions or explanations of terms  Specific evidence that supports your research  An authority’s opinion about your topic  Other interpretations for research

3. Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary Source?  A primary source is an original document Example: A doctor conducts research and then writes about his results in a 30 page document.  A secondary source refers to or summarizes a primary source. Example: JAMA medical journal publishes an eight page article about the doctor’s research.  A tertiary source refers to or summarizes a secondary source. Example: Time magazine writes a 3 page article about the article in JAMA. AVOID TERTIARY SOURCES!

4. Additional Examples of Primary Sources  Personal Records: emails, letters, photos, diaries, id cards  Vital Records: drivers license, home title, birth/death or marriage certificate  Literary Manuscript: poets, articles, plays, novels  Institutional Records: financial records, memos, meeting minutes

5. Primary Sources Continued  Mass Media: newspapers, ads, TV footage, radio broadcasts, magazines, published photos  Ephemera: theater programs, ticket stubs, posters for events, political leaflets (planned cultural and political events)  Oral Histories, Maps, Artifacts (made or owned by people at that time in history)

6. Evaluating Web Sites  Does the site have an author? If so, is the author qualified?  Does the site have a sponsor (like the American Lung Association, Planned Parenthood, NRA)?  Does it seem like the site has a specific agenda or special interest? Does the author or sponsor have political, religious, or other biases?

7. Evaluating web sites, continued oIs the website covered with advertisements or “pop-ups”? This may be a sign that they may not be credible. oHas the site been updated? (How recent?) oHow current are the site’s links? If the links are not working, then the site is not being managed properly.

8. Assessing the author’s argument (for any type of source)  It is acceptable for a source to argue a certain position.  Many experts within the same field disagree with each other.  If the author uses over-charged or emotional language, you may want to use a different source. (too much opinion?)  You are looking for reasoned argument: argument that uses good judgment and uses evidence (facts) to support the opinion.