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Define the task
Locate information
Select resources
Read efficiently
Question the text
Identify bias
Evaluate images
Evaluate websites
Primary & secondary sources
Organise notes
Present the ideas
Evaluate your work
Primary sources are first-hand accounts created by people who witnessed the events they've recorded. Primary sources can include documents, illustrations, photographs, maps, music, audio recordings, etc.
The Batman Treaty, which was held up as proof that John Batman 'purchased' the land around Melbourne in 1835, is an example of primary source material.
Using primary sources in your work not only adds credibility to your argument, but it demonstrates that you are an expert researcher.
Secondary sources interpret and comment on primary sources. Primary sources are used by a wide range of people – writers, academics, students, artists and others – as part of their work. When secondary sources are created, they can potentially provide a different interpretation or alter the significance of the relevant primary source.
A history textbook you use in class is an example of a secondary source.
It can be hard to know which secondary source to trust. If you're not sure:
re-read the original and make up your own mind
look for the most current secondary source
find out about the creator of the secondary source - do you trust them?
look at several other secondary sources to get an overview of what people think.
You can now find lots of primary sources in digital format on the State Library of Victoria's website.
Primary sources, Library of Congress
Primary & secondary sources, University of Western Australia
Primary, secondary & tertiary sources, James Cook University
Primary vs. secondary sources, Manhattan Community College
Primary & secondary sources, Library & Archives Canada
quotes sources
Images need to be evaluated in a different way to documents. Asking specific questions helps you to better understand the image's underlying message.
You need to be able to identify bias in every resource you use, so you know whether it is reliable, objective information.
Questioning what you read helps you to fully understand a text and form your own opinions about a subject.