A systematic method for dealing with source-based questions
Abstract
This article is intended to help both learners and teachers get to grip with the
source material used in examination and tests by providing a systematic way
in which to analyse them for such factors as usefulness, reliability and validity.
The various factors inherent in source analysis are arranged into a table, called
the source matrix. To help learners and teachers further two examples are given
of how the matrix could be used to analyse the source material provided. While
such detailed analysis will never be required in tests and examination, it should
nevertheless prevent the sort of meaningless answers which currently appear in
many tests and examinations.