When you're using primary sources in your assignments, it's important to analyze and evaluate your sources for credibility, accuracy, bias, and usefulness. Here are some things to think about and ask yourself when evaluating your sources.
- What:
- What is the source you're using?
- What are its physical characteristics?
- What was the historical, cultural, social, or political context in which the item was created?
- What biases or assumptions may have influenced the creator?
- Who:
- Who was the author? Who created this source you're using?
- Who preserved it?
- Who was the intended audience? Was this source meant for the public or for an individual?
- Where/When:
- Where was this item created?
- Where did this source come from? (A library database, an archive, a blog?)
- When was this item created?
- When was it published?
- Why:
- Why was this item created? (What was its purpose? What was the creator's message or argument?)
- Why was it made available? Was it meant to be private or was it intended for publication?
- How:
- How trustworthy is the creator? Did they actually witness or experience the event related to your item?
- How does this source compare to other similar sources?
- How is it presented? Has this source been edited, translated, or altered?
- How accurate is this source when I compare it to other first-hand accounts?
