Question

journals are often considered to be unreliable sources

Answer 1

Journals and diaries are considered to be unreliable sources because of the many biases they contain. But they can be used to determine certain things such as major events that occurred in history and the general attitude toward it by the people. Though unreliable, they are still considered primary resources that can aid in research. They serve as supplements to add to papers in order to understand history from a more sociological and psychological point of view.