History Evaluation of Sources

History Part C: Evaluation of Sources
(Source 2)
‘The History of Philippines’ by Kathleen M. Nadeau.
This source originates from the United States and was first published on 2008 by Greenwood Publishing. Greenwood specializes in publishing academic and general interest books, texts, books for librarians and other professionals. We can thus assume that the purpose of the book was for educational purposes, where it was written to inform people. The fact that it originated from the United States and not Philippines, this source can be targeting an American audience, most likely being students, with the purpose to educate and teach them about events that have occurred in the past. The author, Kathleen M. Nadeau, is an assistant professor and applied anthropology coordinator at California State University; the book is most likely meant to be for educating university students, as the author is a professor in that field.
This source is valuable as the text was published rather recently on 2008, it shows that information could be more accurate as more data or documents could have been collected and corrected. It would also be more up to date, where information could cover a wider range as more time has passed for collecting information and after discussions and clarifications, the information presented could possibly be more accurate as compared to previous texts. Though this can also prove to be a limitation as information could have been lost as well throughout the years, such as through misinterpretation or through manipulation of information where certain countries can be more biased. Loss of information could have also happened as time passes, such as documents being lost or destroyed or witnesses to the event passing away.
The source can also be valuable as it is a book to educate University students, this shows that the information they give would be accurate and less biased, considering as well the time it is published, where the main focus of the book was to present information. Though, since this was created in America and the Americans were involved in the history of Philippines, the information could have a more biased representation of the information, where they document the events that took place in their point of view. The purpose of educating American University students poses a limitation as well as America may show their involvement in the history of Philippines in a more positive light, wanting to educate their younger generation to see their country in a positive image as well. Though seeing the close relationship America has with the Philippines, their prejudice towards their own country may not be so extreme. Though on the other hand, the limitation of which their point of view may be prejudiced, other readers are able to attain information about Philippine history in the American point of view.
Nadeau, Kathleen M.. "The Colonial Rule." The history of the Philippines . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. 54-63. Print.
(Source 4)
‘Philippine History and Government’ by Gregorio F. Zaide and Sonia M. Zaide
This source originated from Philippines and was published by All-Nations publishing on 2007. All-Nations publishing is an organization with a Christian vision for the nation. Their objectives being to serve the nation with the present elementary, high school and college with textbooks written by Christian authors and integrating biblical Christian values as well as to uphold biblical principles of living and management. From this we can assume that the purpose of this book is to teach students of the Philippines the history of their country and its government through biblical Christian values. Another purpose could be simply a general reference book for anyone who wishes to gather information about Philippine history and government.
One of the values of this source is that it originates from Philippines and it is about Philippine history and government, thus the information would be in Philippine’s point of view, which would result in a more accurate portrayal of Philippine government and history as it is able to present first hand accounts as well as a more inside view and perspective of the events that had occurred in the Philippines. Though this can also prove to be one of its limitations as the Philippines would be biased towards their own country and people, where in cases in the past such as government ruling or the American and Japanese occupations, the book can portray Philippines as a more innocent party in these events as victims rather than a neutral stand of simply portraying the events that had occurred. Seeing as how the book was published under the All-Nations publishing’s, where they uphold Christian values and wish to integrate textbooks with these values, the book would be a valuable resource as it is able to explain the events that occurred with moral Christian values, though it is also a limitation as it may prove to be judgmental and biased to those only who practice Christianity. It can also be a limitation as they may manipulate the information so as to best fit Christian values such as censor out any inappropriate content which may be a bad influence to its readers.
The authors, Sonia and Gregorio Zaide, are both professionals in their field. Sonia is the first Filipina to attain a Master of Science (M. Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) degree while Gregorio was a Filipino historian and a multi-awarded author. He was one of the founders of International Association of Historians of Asia (IAHA) and he was thrice president of the Philippine Historical Association. This shows that the book is valuable as the authors have credibility and are reliable sources in their field and thus the book would provide accurate and useful information as both authors specialize in history as well as politics. Though both authors are form Philippines as well, once more this can be a limitation as they may be biased towards the Philippines, though this can also be useful as they can provide a Filipino perspective and insight to the events that had occurred.
Zaide, Gregorio F., and Sonia M. Zaide. "UNIT 2 the colonial area." Philippine history & government . Fifth ed. Metro Manila: National Book Store, 1987. 133-166. Print.