Unit 2 CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRIMARY

SOURCES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a
child.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero

TOPICS IN THE LESSON

 External and internal criticism
 Repositories of primary sources
 Historical Sources

Objectives/ Learning Outcomes

At the end of the topic, you will be able to:

 Distinguish primary sources and secondary sources

 Compare and analyze primary and secondary sources
 Identify credible and authentic primary sources and know how to evaluate their
provenance,
 Determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in
understanding Philippine history
 Analyze the context, content, and perspective of different kinds of primary
sources
 Develop critical skills with exposure to primary sources

Before you proceed to the lesson

proper try to answer the guide
questions below.
SPRINGBOARD

FOCUS QUESTION

With the past as history’s subject matter, the historians most important research
tools are historical sources. What is the most important and credible sources of
history?

Activity 1

1. What would you do when you are in the following situation (1) need to return
a purchased item due to factory defect; (2) need to present a proof of being a student
to enjoy 20% fare discount; (3) need to show a proof as depositor in a bank in order to
withdraw money? Explain your answer.
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 2. This activity will somehow expose you to different sources of history that we
will study as we go along with our lesson. After doing the activity, try to categorize
which among those documents used as proofs are primary or secondary sources of
evidences for something.
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SOURCES OF HISTORY
 Sources are very important, in the study of history. They are the originators of
information and data. Most historical source materials can be grouped into four basic
categories: documents, numerical records, oral instruments, and relics.
1. Documents are written or printed materials that have been produced in one form or
another sometime in the past.
2. Numerical records include any type of numerical data in printed or handwritten
form.
3. Oral statements include any form of statement made orally by someone.
4. Relics are any objects whose physical or visual characteristics can provide some
information about the past. (Frankel & Wallen, n.d.)
The main emphasis in historical research is on interpretation of documents,
diaries and the like. Historical data are categorized into primary and secondary sources.
A primary source is one prepared by an individual who was a participant in, or
a direct witness to, the event that is being described.
Primary sources include first-hand information, such as eyewitness reposts and
original documents.
A secondary source is a document prepared by an individual who was not a
direct witness to an event, but who obtained his or her description of the event from
someone else.
Secondary sources include secondhand information, such as a description of an
event by someone other than an eyewitness, or a textbook author’s explanation of an
event or theory.
Primary sources may be harder to find but are generally more accurate and
preferred by historical researchers. A major problem with much historical research is
excessive reliance on secondary sources. (Fraenkel & Wallen, n.d.; “Historical Research
Methods,” n.d.)
Now that you learn the different sources of History, you can now differentiate
primary from secondary and tertiary sources.
Distinction of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources

Historians encounter a large variety of sources during the course of their studies.
Sources can be labeled primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on their distance
from the information they share.

1. Primary Sources

Primary sources give firsthand, original, and unfiltered information. Examples

are eyewitness accounts, personal journals, interviews, surveys, experiments, historical
documents, and artifacts. These sources have a close, direct connection to their
subjects.

Advantages and Disadvantage of Primary Sources

Primary sources directly address your topic and often provide information that is
unavailable elsewhere. For example, the questions you compose for an interview or a
survey will likely target your unique interest in the topic.
On the other hand, some primary sources, such as eyewitness accounts, may be
too close to the subject, lacking a critical distance.
2. Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are one step removed from the topic. While they can be just
as valuable as primary sources, you must remember that secondary information is
filtered through someone else’s perspective and may be biased.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Sources

Secondary sources provide a variety of expert perspectives and insights. Also,
peer review usually ensures the quality of sources such as scholarly articles. Finally,
researching secondary sources is more efficient than planning, conducting, and
analyzing certain primary sources.
 In contrast, because secondary sources are not necessarily focused on your
specific topic, you may have to dig to find applicable information. Information may be
colored by the writer’s own bias or faulty approach.
3. Tertiary Sources

Tertiary sources provide third-hand information by reporting ideas and details

from secondary sources. This does not mean that tertiary sources have no value,
merely that they include the potential for additional layer bias.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tertiary Sources

Tertiary sources often offer a quick, easy introduction to the topic. They may
point to high-quality primary and secondary sources.
Conversely, because of their distance, tertiary sources, they may miss new insights into
a topic.
Some Repositories of Primary Sources
1. National Archives of the Philippines

2. National Library of the Philippines

3. National Historical Commission of the Philippines

4. National Museum of the Philippines

5. U.P. Main Library

6. ADMU Rizal Library

7. National Archives and Records Administration

8. Archivo General de Indias

9. American Historical Collection
10. Lopez Memorial Museum

Kinds of Primary Sources

1. Human Fossils
2. Artifacts
3. Royal Decrees and Laws
4. Official Reports
5. Chronicles
6. Friar Accounts
7. Maps
8. Memoirs
9. Personal Account
10. Newspaper
11. Magazines
12. Legislative Journals
13. Court Records
14. Speeches
15. Personal Letters
16. On Line databases
17. Blogs
18. Documentary Films
19. Recorded Interviews