Assesing the Reliability of Sources/Evidence

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.

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