Question

percentage of college degrees awarded to women (1970–1995)
the following table includes data about the percentage of college and university degrees awarded to women in three categories: bachelor’s degrees; graduate degrees, which include master’s degrees in such fields as business, education, and engineering; and professional degrees, which include degrees in dentistry, medicine, and law.
graph from u.s. department of education, national center for education statistics, educational equity for girls and women nces 2000-030, by yupin bae, susan choy, claire geddes, jennifer sable, and thomas snyder. washington, d.c.: u.s. government printing office, 2000. nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000030.pdf
what kind of source is \percentage of college degrees awarded to women\?
it is a primary source because it is firsthand information.
it is a secondary source because it is secondhand information.
it is a primary source because it is a journal or diary.
it is a secondary source because it is a speech.

Explanation:

To determine the source type, we analyze:

• Primary sources are firsthand (e.g., original data collection). Secondary sources interpret/analyze primary data.
• The graph is from a report (by Yupin Bae et al.) that uses data from the U.S. Department of Education. This report summarizes/analyzes existing data (firsthand from the Department), so it is secondhand information.

Now, evaluate the options:

• First option: Incorrect. The graph is not firsthand (it’s a summary of the Department’s data).
• Second option: Correct. It is secondary because it presents secondhand analysis of the original data.
• Third option: Incorrect. The graph is not a journal/diary.
• Fourth option: Incorrect. The graph is not a speech.

Answer:

B. It is a secondary source because it is secondhand information.