SOURCE

ANALYSIS
 A source is anything that gives us information about a particular topic. It can be a map,
an article, book, website etc.

 Sources can either be primary or secondary.

 Primary sources provide first hand or raw information. They give you direct access to the
subject research.

 They were produced at the that particular time in history.

 Examples include letters, photographs, video, audio, poems, journals, interviews,

statistical data, works of art etc.

 Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from researchers

 They are derived from primary sources.

 They include books, journals, websites

 OPVL
There are different forms/methods of analyzing sources. However the OPVCL is used within
the IB.

O- Origin

P- Purpose

V- Value

L - Limitations
 ORIGI
N
For you to understand a source, you must know what it is and where it comes from.

Questions that will guide us in determining the origin include:

 Is it a primary or secondary source?

 Who created it/the author?

 When was it created?

 When & where was it published?

 Is the creator/writer an authority? E.g a researcher, a renowned author etc.

 PURPOSE
Here you get to talk about the reasons for the creation of the sources.

Questions that will guide us in determining the purpose include:

 Why was it made? What was the intent?

 Who was it made for?

 Why did the author choose the specific format?

 What does it say?

 Can it tell you more than what’s on the surface based on extra evidence?
 VALUE
Here analysis is done on the usefulness of a source.

Questions that will guide us in determining the value include:

 What can you tell about the time period the piece was written?

 What can we tell about the author of the piece?

 Does the author represent a particular side of a controversy or event?

 What is the authors perspective?

 What was going on during the period in history? How does this piece reflect it?
 LIMITATIONS
We look at whether the source has any shortcomings. At what point does the source stop
being of value

Questions that will guide us in determining the limitations include:

 What part of the story can we not tell from the source?

 Does this piece inaccurately reflect anything about the time period?

 What does the author leave out?

 What is purposely not addressed?

 How could we verify the content of the piece?