Overview
This lecture introduces the topic of gathering and using information from various sources, focusing on primary, secondary, and tertiary information types and their real-life applications.
Gathering Information: Methods and Importance
- Information means facts provided or learned about something or someone.
- Methods to gather information include listening, reading, interviews, questioning, questionnaires, observation, and studying existing reports.
- Information is important for daily life and learning.
Types of Information Sources
- News reports provide updates about world events through newspapers, TV, or radio.
- Speeches are formal addresses delivered to an audience.
- Informative talks educate audiences on specific topics, improving understanding and retention.
- Panel discussions involve a group sharing different perspectives on a topic in front of an audience.
Classification of Information Sources
- Primary sources offer direct, first-hand evidence about an event or topic; examples include interviews, diaries, and original documents.
- Secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources; examples include textbooks, biographies, and documentary films.
- Tertiary sources list or compile primary and secondary sources; examples include almanacs, directories, handbooks, and indexes.
Examples and Application
- A soldier's diary from the Civil War is a primary source.
- A book analyzing the Civil War is a secondary source.
- A list of Civil War battle sites is a tertiary source.
- An autobiography is a primary source; a biography is secondary because it is written by someone else using original information.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Primary Source — Direct, first-hand evidence or original materials about an event or topic.
- Secondary Source — Material that analyzes, interprets, or summarizes primary sources.
- Tertiary Source — Materials that compile or index information from primary and secondary sources.
- Information — Facts provided or learned about something or someone.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources in your own textbooks.
- Practice identifying the type of source when encountering new information.
- Prepare for discussions on how to use information from various sources in projects or daily life.