Verifying handwriting or determining the age of paper a document was w

Verifying handwriting or determining the age of paper a document was written on is part of establishing:

a. accurate data collection.
b. external criticism.
c. internal criticism.
d. cultural influences of the time period.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: B
External criticism is used to determine the validity of source material. The researcher needs to know where, when, why, and by whom a document was written. This may involve verifying the handwriting or determining the age of the paper on which it was written.
The document itself would be the data. External criticism is used to determine the validity of source material. The researcher needs to know where, when, why, and by whom a document was written. This may involve verifying the handwriting or determining the age of the paper on which it was written.
Internal criticism is an examination of the reliability of the document. External criticism is used to determine the validity of source material. The researcher needs to know where, when, why, and by whom a document was written. This may involve verifying the handwriting or determining the age of the paper on which it was written.
The age of paper will probably not be a good guide to the cultural influences, although it may give a small insight into the era. External criticism is used to determine the validity of source material. The researcher needs to know where, when, why, and by whom a document was written. This may involve verifying the handwriting or determining the age of the paper on which it was written.