Using Primary Sources
What is a primary source?
- Documents that provide information to help you gain a contemporary understanding of a non-contemporary subject.
- Examples include anything originating at an historical point in time, such as diaries, newspaper reports, historical interviews, photographs, etc.
- Documents called "original research" are also primary sources. These are documents where researchers/scholars are studying a topic in a brand-new and unique way, with supporting data that those researchers gathered themselves.
You must interpret the information yourself because the author(s) will not provide an interpretation for you (Note: for this reason, some primary sources can be difficult to understand)
- Example assignment where you may be asked to use primary sources:
- Write an essay that requires you to express your understanding of what the New York City survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks saw that day, using written news reports from that time in history, diary entries from survivors, and interviews with first-responders.
Critically Assessing Primary Sources
While there are no absolute rules about how to read and interpret primary sources, it is commonly accepted that by answering the 5 W's (and an H!) you should obtain a good understanding of the document.
First, read the document from beginning to end without taking notes.
- Read it as often as you need to, until you feel like you have a good grasp of what it is and what it says.
Next, read the document again and take notes, answering the 5 W's:
- Who created the document?
- Example, a journalist wrote an article for a local newspaper
- What information does the document tell me?
- Example, the story is about a murder trial
- When was the document created?
- Example, the publication date of the article. Also important: the dates of any events the article references.
- Where was it created and/or where does the information it contains take place (these may not be the same location)?
- Example, the article first appears in a local newspaper in Cincinnati because that is where the crime took place, Ohio. It can possibly later appear in a national news source, for example, the New York Times, if the crime suddenly garners more attention.
- Why was this document created?
- Example, to inform local readers of the details of a crime and the ensuing legal events, including details about the perpetrator and possibly the victim.
And the H:
- How was the document created?
- The answer to this question has the potential to provide contextual information about the record.
- While a newspaper article is very straightforward, think of other primary sources, such as a diary, or an interview at the scene of a crime.
Each of these questions has a factual answer and none of them can be answered with a simple yes or no.
- The idea is to get you to do a critical reading of the document to understand how it will support your research.
It is also a good idea to answer the following questions when reading primary source documents:
- Does this document provide information that supports or challenges commonly accepted conclusions about your topic?
- Does this document provide accurate or biased information?
- How do you know the information is accurate or biased? What are the reasons for this bias if it exists
As you do your analysis, keep in mind the context, circumstances and time period in which the document was created. Answering the above questions in view of these points is what will allow you to interpret the document in a manner that will be useful for your research.
Suggested Resources
If you would like more information on reading primary sources, these are some good places to start:
Source: https://guides.lib.umassd.edu/primarysources
Evaluating Evidence
When looking at sources of information and arguments, we must judge their quality, value, and/or significance to our research goals. Consider the strengths and limitations with respect to the examination you are undertaking, or, to a particular context.
When evaluating a claim, ask yourself:
- What are the strengths and limitations of the source or argument?
- How well are the claims supported by reasons and evidence?
- What claims need further investigation?
- How does the quality of one source or argument compare with others that address a similar topic?
- What contribution to knowledge does it make?
- What is my overall assessment of the source or argument?
Source: https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success/enhance-your-thinking/critical-thinking/evaluate-arguments-of-others
