OGT Mini Unit 3

1. OGT Mini Unit 3 Social Studies Skills and Methods

2. Events • The “thing” that happens • Happens once and is gone forever • Happens at a specific time/place • The “whole” thing

3. An account of the event • The story or description of the “thing” that happened • Not the “whole” thing • Thus, all accounts are selective

4. Accounts can take different forms • Re-created • Sung • Recited • Performed • Artifacts • Written • Spoken • Recorded • Drawn • Photographed

5. Thus… • All accounts are created by people • Each person who creates an account has their own perspective • Each person who creates such an account “selects” what is to be included and what is to be left out of the account based on their own perspective

6. Different Perspectives are shaped by • Education • Intelligence • Ability to focus • Knowledge • Connections • Significance • Age • Personality • Time and Place • Background • Specific agenda • Experiences ALL PERSPECTIVES ARE BIASED

7. Sources • Information which the account is based upon comes from various types of SOURCES • Primary • First-hand accounts • Physical remains and artifacts • Geographic/visual records • Written testimony/diaries/letters • Oral records • Secondary • A written account made by someone who has analyzed primary sources and other secondary sources • A secondary source is an interpretation

8. Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources • Primary Sources: • Lots of details BUT sometimes loses the “big picture” • Usually has feelings and emotions BUT may not always be objective • Eyewitness accounts BUT usually only a narrow or single perspective • At the time of the event BUT does not always have time for reflection • Personal account BUT does not always recognize other sources

9. Evaluating primary and secondary sources, cont’d… • Secondary Sources: • After the fact, time for reflection BUT something may be forgotten • Objective, broad perspective BUT no real participation by historian • Familiarity with and use of other sources BUT no personal involvement • Usually a focus on the big picture BUT often lacking some details

10. Similarities • Both can be written sources • Both are based on the perspective, experiences and knowledge, etc. of the person making the account • Both are selective • Both provide information which needs to be evaluated

11. Evaluating Sources • Questions to ask: • Is the source valid? • Doe the biases in the source make it invalid? • Are there contradictions or inconsistencies in the source? • Is the source mostly FACT or OPINION?

12. Checking a source’s credibility, accuracy, validity, usefulness • Identify fact or opinion in the source • Internal checks: Look for contradictions and inconsistencies • External checks: Check other sources • Overall credibility

13. Checking a source’s credibility, accuracy, validity, usefulness, cont’d… • Describe the source • Primary or secondary • Who made the source • Basic message/information in the source • Describe the context • Why was the source made (when, where)? • Purpose of the source • Audience • Evaluate the source • Conclusions/interpretations • Fact or opinion • How is the source organized • Any contradictions/inconsistencies • Evaluate the creator of the source • Biases/mistakes/prejudices