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Primary Source Vs Secondary Source Analysis

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The major differences that exist between primary source and secondary source authors are its reliability and credibility. Secondary source authors hold certain disadvantages in that the authors did not directly experience the actual event, meaning that they do not have a first-hand account of the experience that occurred. Because these secondary source authors were not affected, their information could contain inaccurate data, or their opinions askew due to their lack of a direct experience. Although secondary sources may have their disadvantages, secondary source authors have the ability to analyze, interpret, evaluate, and synthesize the original events and data that could not be done initially due to time constraints. With the ability to analyze statistics and documents, authors can construct explanations and justifications as to why these events arose. …show more content…

Secondary sources may include a collection of multiple reliable sources, but secondary source authors have a high possibility of distorting historical accuracy due to their perspective. However, primary source authors may not be completely reliable, may be one-sided, and cannot be consulted for verification since they are deceased. Take for example, Bartolome de las Casas who took the side of the Indians after he witnessed a full-scale massacre. Bartolome stated, “The reason the Christians have murdered on such a vast scale and killed anyone and everyone in their way is purely and simply greed.” His opinions are one-sided due to his past observance of only a part of what took

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