What to look for when answering RELIABILITY

and USEFULNESS questions.

Paper 2 is based largely on the use of historical sources.

You will be asked to explain:•The message of sources/ Why a source was published/ Whether a source surprises you.•The reliability/accuracy/trustworthiness of sources• How useful a source is/ Comparing the usefulness of 2 sources.• How similar sources are.

What do we mean by ‘reliable’ when we’re talking about a source?

How reliable is this

source?

Is it giving ALL the

facts or just a selection?

Is it accurate?

Is itone sided- biased?

Where didthe maker get

his/herinformation?

whomade it?

Check againstown

knowledge

Check againstother

sources

Check againstown

knowledgeCheck against

other sources

which bits areaccurate & which are

not?

what sex

race, age?

what politicalbeliefs dids/he have?

why did s/hesay/writedraw it?

whenwas it made?

eyewitness?

historian or

expert?

fromofficial sources?

talking toothers?

studyingpictures?

What do we mean by ‘USEFUL’ when we’re talking about a source?

How USEFUL is this

source?

Is it giving ALL the

facts or just a selection?

Is it accurate?

Howcan I use it?

Does it give facts oropinions?

as a good e.g. ofbias?

Check againstown

knowledge

Check againstother

sources

Check againstown

knowledgeCheck against

other sources

which bits areaccurate & which are

not?

as an e.g. of

propaganda?

to showhow some

groupsfelt?

to giveone orboth

sides ofthe story?

to showhow most

felt?

or both?

whoseopinions?

how typicalare the opinionsgiven?

can I usethe opinionsto explain

something?

are opinionsuseful to

know?

what’smissing?