An Introduction to Research Skills

An Introduction to Research Skills

a Room 23 Lesson

​KEY WORDS

​When searching for information on the internet, you use key words to narrow your search results.

​

​EX: Google "Winchester Mystery House reason built" to find out why Sarah Winchester built her house.

​

​Answer is B. (A is missing "walking"; C is missing "students" and D is missing "students")

Multiple Select

Which THREE key words should a student use for an Internet search about the mistreatment of animals in circuses, zoos, and movies?

• shelter

• wildlife

• cruelty

• entertainment

• animal

Multiple Select

Click on the THREE words that Gabe should type in an online search engine to find out more information about other types of animals that live near polar bears.

• hunting

• grizzly

• arctic

• wildlife

• polar

​ONLINE SOURCES

​When using online sources, it is important to make sure the source is reliable and valid. NOT everything on the Internet is true! Beware of sites like Wikipedia where users can alter the information.

​Which website would be most helpful for ZaVeon to find info about how bedrooms have changed over the years?

​Answer is "The History of the Bedroom"

Multiple Choice

Which website would be the most helpful for Cherish to find information about the symptoms of chickenpox?

• TREATING CHICKENPOX

  Do you have the chickenpox? Here are ways to treat it...

• CHICKENPOX AND SHINGLES

  People who have already had chickenpox are at risk for getting shingles later in life...

• CHICKENPOX VACCINES

  What is chickenpox? Learn how to protect yourself from the virus...

• SIGNS OF CHICKENPOX

  Here is a list of things to look for when uncertain if you have chickenpox.

• HOW CHICKENPOX DEVELOPS

  Often confused with Fowlpox, chickenpox is a disease that...

Multiple Choice

Which website would be most helpful for William to find information about starting a new club at his school?

• BOOK CLUBS TO JOIN

  If you're a mystery fan or comic book collector, there is a book club just for you...

• HOW CLUBS HELP STUDENTS

  School clubs are a great way to get students feeling great about themselves...

• DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A SCHOOL CLUB?

  Follow these steps to get your principal and teachers excited about your new club idea...

• VARIETY OF SCHOOL CLUBS AVAILABLE

  At SMS, there are many new clubs and activities to join...

• WHICH CLUB IS BEST FOR YOU?

  Take this quiz to find out which school club best matches your interests...

PRINT SOURCES

​Not only do you need to know how to search the internet for info, but you also need to know what print sources (aka texts on paper & books) you should use to find specific info.

​

​EX: To find out what a word means, you would look in a dictionary.

If Nevaeh wanted to find out more information on which local ​restaurants have the longest wait times, which source should she use?

​A. an article about the best dishes to try when eating out

​B. an employee handbook for servers

​C. a press release for a new restaurant opening

​D. A newspaper article that interviews customers about their experiences eating out.

​

​Answer is D.

Multiple Choice

Which source would provide the most information on the history of amusement parks in the United States?

• A publication describing the changes that have occurred to parks since their beginning

• A flier advertising a new amusement park nearby

• An article reviewing the closes amusement park's attractions

• A book describing the most common attractions found at modern amusement parks

Multiple Choice

If Tristan wanted more information on the cause of most automobile accidents, which would be the best source?

• A drivers education manual explaining ways to avoid accidents

• An article in an automobile magazine evaluating the effectiveness of new safety features

• A report published by the Department of Transportation called "Statistics on Common Factors in Roadway Incidents"

• A press release from a leading car manufacturer explaining their brand is safer than others

​PLAGIARIZING

Pla​giarizing is when you copy someone else's words or thoughts without giving that person credit (aka...you steal his/her words and act like YOU wrote them...that's bad.)

​

​Paraphrasing is when you put information in your OWN words (and give credit to where you got the information!)

Multiple Choice

One study shows that the polar bear population has been declining in recent years and is at a high risk of becoming extinct due to recent climate changes, causing their sea ice home to gradually disappear.

Which sentence best parapharses the information without plagiarizing?

• The polar bear population has recently been shown to be decreasing as a result of their changing environment due to varied weather conditions.

• Losses of their home in the sea ice as a result of climate change, the polar bear population is declining and is at a high risk.