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GECRPH-18 READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

MODULE 2 ASSIGNMENT 1
PROF. NANETTE CALAOR-TAMAYO        

1. What is the main distinction between primary source and secondary sources?

Primary sources provides direct or first-hand evidence about an event, an object, a person or a
work of art. In straightforward terms essential sources come firsthand from the source or
individual. Journals would be an essential source since it is composed straightforwardly by the
person composing within the journal. Interviews are awesome essential sources since the
individual talks approximately the subject specifically from what he/she knows around the
subject. Primary sources are more often than not firsthand data almost something such as
journals, court records, interviews, investigate ponders almost tests, and data that has been
expressed but not translated by others. Secondary sources are the information supplied by a
person not a direct observer or participant of the event, object or condition. It analyze, interpret,
and discuss information about the primary source. Documentary films, reprint of artwork, books
with endnotes and footnotes are examples of secondary sources wherein they are all based
from primary sources.

Source used: Secondary source

http://www.korepetycje.com/writing‐resources/primary‐secondary‐sources.html

2. Why is primary source important in the study of history?

According to my research, Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original
documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from
secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of
time or place. It offers assistance for students to relate in a personal way to occasions of the
past and promote a more profound understanding of history as an arrangement of human
occasions. Since primary sources are fragmented bits of history, each one speaks to a riddle
that students can only explore further by finding unused pieces of prove. Moreover, historians
use primary sources as the raw evidence to analyze and interpret the past and is useful in
future generations.

Reference:
https://library.uncw.edu/guides/findingprimarysources
3. What is the purpose of a secondary source?
A secondary source is a secondhand account that was created by someone who did not live in
the time period you are studying. It is usually written a long time after the event occurred by
people who did not live through or participate in the event.
The purpose of secondary sources is to interpret, or explain the meaning of the information in
primary sources. It helps us to understand more about a person’s life as well as how and why
an historical event happened. It includes Biographies, Encyclopedias, Films and movies,
Newspaper article, Textbooks and Websites.

Reference:
https://www.thinkport.org/tps/mod1/try-it.html

4. At present, how do you discriminate between contradicting reports of a single event from
different sources?

First, it is vital to see if the source is accurate and provides a thorough, well-reasoned theory,
argument and discussion based on strong evidence. By verifying the authenticity of evidence
by examining its physical characteristics such as the author and his/her background and on
how soon after the events was documented. Second is to make sure the source is written by a
trustworthy author and/or institution or author has the proper credentials and the source is not
biased. In addition, you must check the currency of the report if it’s out dated. Lastly, it is for us
to see the coverage of each report if it the information are relevant and it provides concrete
data. In summary, we must check who published the source, the purpose of the source,
when it was created/updated, and its content. Also see if it has any potential bias and, if
a webpage, provides references or reliable links to other sources.

5. Why should official records of the government be made accessible to the public?

Access to information is one of the keys to democracy. Allowing people to seek and receive
public documents serves as a critical tool for fighting corruption, enabling citizens to more fully
participate in public life, making governments more efficient, encouraging investment, and
helping persons exercise their fundamental human rights. In addition, information belongs to
the people; governments simply hold information in their name. Public documents include
anything from a birth certificate to a contract for road construction to studies that underpin
public policy. 

Reference:
cartercenter.org/news/documents/doc1860.html