Final answer:
The items Val gathered for research on Watergate, such as books, academic essays, and government reports, are considered sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The items that Val gathered, such as books, academic essays, and government reports, can be considered as sources. These sources provide information and evidence that can be used to support Val's research on Watergate. Books written by scholars, academic essays published in peer-reviewed journals, and government reports are all reliable sources of information that can help Val gain a deeper understanding of the Watergate incident.
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