Module 4 Kinds of Primary Sources and Repositories of Primary Sources PDF

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Kinds of Primary Sources and Repositories of Primary Sources...

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MODULE 4 Kinds of Primary Sources and Repositories of Primary Sources Learning Objectives: At the end of the module, the learners are expected to: 1. Enumerate examples of primary sources. 2. Search for repositories of primary sources. 3. Explain the process how sources are compiled and processed. 4. Produce a video/audio material about primary sources. Kinds of Primary Sources Primary sources gives historian and students of history an almost real-time understanding of past events. The study of history often misunderstood as a mere listing of persons and events provides a clear and accurate picture of a people’s past culture and society. Historian have shown the importance of looking at the diverse ways of evaluating historical evidences. And in order to fully appreciate history and learn the most out of historical studies, professional and students of history alike must be able to distinguish the different classes of primary sources. Secondary sources tells about and analyze a primary source. They are at least one step removed from the primary source, such as when an article was written in a newspaper something that happened half a century ago. If a historian is investigating a person’s life he must not rely solely on what written about him. Today, historical revisionism and post-truth create space for discussion on the importance of credibility to history writing. Examples of Primary Sources Include Diaries, Correspondence, journals, speeches, interviews, letters, memos, photographs, videos, public opinion polls, and government records, Manuscript, Pamphlets, Broadsides, Posters, Newspaper Articles Photographs and Illustrations, Autobiographical Materials, Interview Or Speech Transcripts, Oral Histories, Government Documents (Laws, Bills, Proceedings, Acts, Census Records, etc. Repository of Primary Sources Sources of history, whether primary or secondary, come from the past and gives insight into the period being studied. Instead of viewing history as a list of dates and facts, primary sources provide the original artifacts of historical interpretation. They are stored, preserved and accessed from institutions and sites tasked and dedicated to give an accurate and clear perspective of the past. For the conduct of historical research there are a lot of repositories of primary sources. Although it is the toughest part of studying history, it is also most rewarding, especially when URS-IM-AA-CI-0162

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sources collected becomes the solid foundation for a scholarly work. Both physical, personal and online repositories of sources abound. The real challenge is to produce a well-curated collection of materials. An advice would be the use of the right terminology from the era under study in order to properly locate significant materials. Materials from libraries, museums and archives are next to nothing in terms of credibility yet can consume a lot of time. Online or digital sources are abundant are abundant so researchers have to pore over a great quantity of records, thus, it could be exhausting. These repositories kept by the government, public or private institutions are a veritable stockpile of knowledge. Markers and monuments installed by the National Historical Commission also functions to keep record of important events and personalities. Sometimes special fields are needed to aid the historians make ends meet in their pursuit of sources. For example, epigraphy studies the meanings and significance of inscriptions in monuments could help in make finding sources meaningful. Other special related fields that help historian in the work are numismatics, paleography genetics, cryptography, museology, etc. Museums is where artifacts and implements of the past are exhibited and restored. Archive is a place where old government or church documents are stored for safekeeping and research. Libraries are depositories of written texts and other media. In the Philippines the National Historical Commission (NHCP) through its Historic Sites and Education Division (HSED) “administers and maintains national shrines, monuments and landmarks and operates interactive history museums”. Created under RA 10086, among other things, the NHCP “manage, maintain and administer national shrines, monuments, historical sites, edifices and landmarks of significant historic-cultural value”. A number of museums across the country are are found commemorating historically important persons, events and places. Credibility of Sources Context decides the acceptability of a source or not. Proper distinction must be made between primary and secondary in order to determine its credibility and relevance to a particular discipline. For instance, a textbook published during the American colonial period in the Philippines reflects the educational program offered by the Americans during that era. Some other time that textbook would be considered a secondary source of history. Bias, orientation and strongly-held beliefs could affect a rational study of a source. To avoid an undue results, an impartial and impersonal approach should be observed in studying source.

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Below are helpful guide- questions to help discriminate sources. What is it? Who wrote or made it? When was it written or made? Where was it written or made? How was it written or made? What evidence does this source contribute to my research? Then Ask, What Is The Meaning of This Primary Source? Why was this document/object written or made? Who was the intended audience/user? What questions does this source raise? What don’t we know about this source? What other information do we have about this document or object? What other sources are like this one? What other sources might help answer our questions about this one? What else do we need to know in order to understand the evidence in this source? What have others said about this or similar sources? How does this source help me to answer my research question? How does evidence from this source alter or fit into existing interpretations of the past? http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/primarySources.html, 9/16/2015.

URS-IM-AA-CI-0162

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Date: August 24, 2020...