Assesing the Reliability of Sources/Evidence
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Remember where possible to use the correct Terminology
- Imply = suggests
- Biased = one sided
- Propaganda = one sided official information
- Reliability = how far a source can be trusted
- Gaps = is important information missing?
- Hindisght = judgement of events after most of the facts have emerged. (after the event)
- Contradicts - conflicting evidence. (what they tell us opposes something)
- Impartial = a fair, totall 'unbiased' opinion
- Opinion = a belief, which may lack proof
Documents
e.g Official Government reports, or non-Official, such as newspapers.
They are usually Primary. From the time fo the event.
The Writer: Who wrote it and when it was written will affect the reliability of a document. it may be biased if the writer is one sided, it may express only one Governments or sides point of view.
Authenticity: Does the view or facts of the document contain similar facts and comments to other evidence? Is the document fact or opinion?
Attitude: Remember the circumstances in which the document was written, for example the Cold War. The USA and USSR had different points of view about the same events.
Strengths of Documents:
- Show events and attitudes at the time. Show the reactions of Governments
- Often first hand knowledge of events
- Official, Direct Views.
- Reflect a Government policy
- Usually not exaggerated
Weaknesses
- May have a one sided, biased point of view
- Could be propaganda
- Newspapers may lack fact or balance
Extracts From Textbooks
Usually secondary evidence. Written after the time of the event.
The Author: May be biased. Although good historians should try to be impartial
Authenticity: Textbooks enjoy the advantage of hindsight, and can check facts and sources.
Attitude: May be under the control of a Government. The historian may not be free to write what he/she wants.
Strenths of Textbooks
- Can often check facts
- May analyse events - Advantage of hinsight
- Can use new evidence which has emerged
Weaknesses
- Opinion/judgement may be incorrect
- May lack factual evidence
Photographs
The Photographer: Is the person taking the photograph working for a government, a newspaper, or simply a by-stander
Authenticity: Is the photograph stage managed, and oddicial photography. This may affect reliability
Attitude: Is the photograph designed to shock? Does the photograph fit the evidence or accounts of the same event?
Strenghts of Photographs:
- It may reflect the actual event
- It may show things which are not reflected in other evidence
- Gives insits into styles, appearences, etc.
Weaknesses:
- May be contrived (made up)
- Lack Balance - may show one incident whcih is not typical
- Factual coverage may be limited
- May be taken to 'shock' people, and tehrefore may not reflect the truth
Cartoons
Author: Who drew it? When was it made? - reliability
Authenticity: Do other cartoons and sources make the same comment?
Attitude: In what circumstances was the cartoon made?
Strengths of Cartoons
- A gut reaction to events. ie how people felt.
- Usually humourous
- The cartoonist may have a good knowledge of events
Weaknesses:
- Often emotional
- Effect requires highlighting and exaggeration to make it humourous
- Factual coverage may be limited
- May be directed at mindset of contemporary people
- Is very often politically motivated
Remember: One source alone is usually insufficient evidence. A number sources need to be corroborated to build up a correct version of events - the truth. Always be sceptical of what you are told from a source.
About the Author
by: Admin
Total views: 1424
Word Count: 764
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 Time: 12:00 AM
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