PRIMARY SOURCE, INFERENCE, CONCLUSIONS

source includes firsthand witness accounts of events (created during time period), research described by the people who conducted it, and any other original information

• mixed media (video and audio), photographs

primary source

example of primary sources

Diaries, scientific journal articles, witness testimony, academic conference presentations, business memos, speeches, letters, interviews, and original literature and artwork.

source includes responding to, analyze, summarize, or comment on primary sources. (written by someone not directly involved) Add value to the topic of discussion and gives readers new insight on the content

• introduce errors or layers of bias

secondary source

ex of secondary source

Biographies, books and articles that summarize research for wider audiences, analyses of original literature and artwork, histories, political commentary.

source involves compile information in a general, summarized and simplified way (composed of primary and secondary sources)

• no added info, present info in an accessible manner, for audience who only are beginning to familiarize themselves with a topic

tertiary source

ex of tertiary source

encyclopedias, guidebooks, literature study guides

how to determine credibility from sources and references?

credible text are primary and secondary sources that refer to other trustworthy sources. If author consults experts, should be named, credentials should be explained. Do not hide where information was obtained.

• vague statements like “studies show” are not trustworthy

how to determine objectivity in credible texts

use clear, logical reasoning. Back arguments up with facts, expert opinion, or clear explanations. No obvious stereotypes.

Emotional arguments should not be manipulative

how to determine the date the publication

when researching a fast-changing topic, look for sources published in last 10 years

how to determine author information for credible text

an author and/or respected organization take public credit for information, it is more likely to be reliable. Info published anonymously on the internet are suspicious.

Credit goes to those such as university professors in a given field are more trustworthy than authors with no clear resume

how to determine publisher information for credible text

info published by government, a university, a major national news organization, or another respected organization is often more credible.

End .edu or .gov

uses clues presented in the text to help draw logical conclusions about what the author means. Must read carefully and understand the explicit, or overt, meaning

inferences