Comparing Sources

Compare the same thing

A useful comparison needs a shared question.

If one source explains why a policy was introduced and another describes public reactions, they may not actually disagree. They may be answering different questions.

Claims

Identify what each source is saying about the issue.

Ask where the claims overlap, where they differ and how strong each claim is.

Evidence

Sources may rely on statistics, interviews, expert opinion, examples, historical documents or personal experience.

The evidence affects what kind of conclusion a source can reasonably support.

Purpose and perspective

A research report, campaign text and personal essay can discuss the same issue for different purposes.

Purpose does not automatically make a source unreliable, but it can help explain selection, emphasis and language.

Reliability and relevance

Ask whether the source is appropriate for the specific question you are investigating.

A reliable source can still be irrelevant, and a relevant source can still have limitations.

Source A is a national survey showing that reported loneliness among young adults has increased.

Source B is an interview with one student who says social media helps them feel less isolated.

These sources do not necessarily contradict each other. Source A describes a population-level pattern, while Source B gives one person's experience. A comparison should explain the different kinds of evidence before drawing a conclusion.

1. Write one question that both sources help you investigate.
2. Identify each source's main claim about that question.
3. Compare the evidence each source uses.
4. Consider purpose, audience and context.
5. Identify genuine agreement and genuine disagreement.
6. Explain whether the differences may come from evidence, definitions, perspective or scope.
7. Conclude what the sources together allow you to say.

• Both sources suggest that...
• Whereas Source A emphasises..., Source B focuses on...
• The sources differ mainly in...
• This difference may reflect...
• Source A provides broader evidence, while Source B offers...
• Taken together, the sources indicate...

Source-by-source summary

Writing one paragraph about Source A and then one about Source B often produces two summaries rather than a comparison.

Organise the discussion around points of comparison instead.

Different means contradictory

Sources can emphasise different aspects without making incompatible claims.

Choosing a winner too quickly

A comparison is not always about deciding which source is 'best'. Different sources can be useful for different purposes.

• Compare sources through a shared question.
• Examine claims and evidence, not only conclusions.
• Different source types can provide different kinds of knowledge.
• Purpose and perspective can explain differences in emphasis.
• Separate genuine contradiction from different scope or focus.