Sources
Reliable Vs. Unreliable Sources When using the internet for sources, be sure to check the reliability of any site. Some rules to follow: If you can find the same information in three different places, it is probably reliable. If a website also has a print version (such as a newspaper or magazine, it is probably reliable. Information found on a personal website is probably unreliable.
Reliable vs. Unreliable Sources Cont. Look for an author’s or expert’s credentials on the website. If they have good credentials, the site is probably reliable. If the site ends in .gov, or .edu, it is probably reliable. If the site has people checking its facts on a regular basis, it is probably reliable. Wikipedia is not always reliable.
CRAP Test – Analyze your sources Do this for every source Currency Reliability Authority Purpose/Point of view
Primary vs. Secondary Sources Information comes from either a primary or a secondary sources. Primary sources are best to use whenever possible, but are usually more difficult to get a hold of.
Primary Sources Primary sources are original materials. They are written when the event happens. They are from the time period involved. No interpretation has been done on them Examples of primary sources: Diaries -Birth certificate Interviews -Speech Letters -Autobiographies Photographs or art -News Footage Works of literature
Secondary Sources Secondary sources are written after the fact. They describe, evaluate, comment on, interpret, or analyze primary sources. Examples of secondary sources: Dictionaries and encyclopedias Commentaries -Textbooks History -Journal article Biographies Newspaper and magazine articles
Quiz Directions: Identify each source as primary or secondary and Write an instance when each would be considered a reliable source.
1. Dance card, in which people kept a record of their dance partners at various social events.
This diploma was earned in 1929. 2. This diploma was earned in 1929.
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries 3. Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
This is a manuscript of a poem written by Stuart Sherman, c. 1923. 4. This is a manuscript of a poem written by Stuart Sherman, c. 1923.
5. Newspaper Articles
6. First page of the minutes of a meeting of the Illini Union Board on May 26, 1948.
This poster advertises a lecture scheduled for March 13, 2003. 7. This poster advertises a lecture scheduled for March 13, 2003.
8. Text books
9. An oral history of John Florio was record on this audio cassette tape in January 2001.
10. Biographies
11. Art prints