Research Skills

Research Skills

State and describe effective research skills to use when writing.

Lesson Objective:

Open Ended

What do you think it means to research a topic? (Tip: You don't need a full paragraph here; a short sentence will be fine.)

Research Writing

Research writing involves answering a question.

Research writing is the process of sharing the answer to your research question. With research writing, you include:

• evidence on which your answer is based,

• the sources you used, and

• your own reasoning and explanation.

​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.

​

Multiple Choice

Which key words should Cora use for an Internet search about walking programs for middle school students?

• students, middle school, exercise

• walking, middle school, students

• exercise, middle school, programs

• walking, programs, middle school

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

Key Words

• ​credible: able to be believed

• valid: having a sound basis in logic & fact

• relevant: connected or related to the topic

Multiple Choice

Something is credible if...,

• it's popular

• it's believable

• it's interesting

Multiple Choice

Something is relevant if...

• it's related to the topic

• it's more interesting than the topic

• It has been recently discussed in the media

Primary Source

• document or source with first-hand knowledge of an event

• ex. the Declaration of Independence, autobiography, speech, diary

Secondary Source

• ​document or source with second-hand knowledge of an event

• ex. biography, news report, text books

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?

• Abraham Lincoln's diary

• an interview about Lincoln from a historian

​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.

Multiple Choice

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

• "Bedroom Design: Ideas for a Tranquil Space"

• "The History of the Bedroom"

• "Bedroom Furniture Sale: The Latest Styles at Half Off!"

• "Themed Bedrooms for Every Personality"

• "Famous Bedrooms Around the World"

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.

Multiple Choice

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

• an article about the best dishes to try when going out to eat

• an employee handbook for servers

• a press release for a new restaurant opening

• a newspaper article that interviews customers about their experiences eating at restaurants

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

Multiple Choice

Sites like Wikipedia are not always valid because-

• the information constantly changes because users can alter the info
• the website has too many distractions
• the website includes the original author
• the information can be viewed by anyone

Multiple Choice

Reliable sources are always the first Google result.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which resource would have the most current information about presidents of the United States? 

• an encyclopedia
• an article written in 2008
• A book called "American Presidents" copyright 2000
• "whitehouse.gov" updated daily

Multiple Choice

What is a warning sign that a website might NOT have trustworthy information? 

• the author is an expert
• the information comes from a well-known newspaper
• It is not clear who the author is
• the information is current

Multiple Choice

What is the main advantage of using online sources vs. printed sources?

• Online sources are more trustworthy.
• Online sources have more information than books.
• Online sources give more detailed information.
• Online sources are faster and easier to access.

Multiple Choice

Which person has the best qualifications to write a credible article about the history of food production in the United States?

• A former worker in the meat-packing industry who is angry about being fired

• A professor of history who has published books about the food production industry

• A television reporter who visited the fast food museum in Chicago, Illinois

• A Senator whose proposed law would overhaul the food production industry

Multiple Select

Which key words would be the best for an Internet search about running plans for elderly people? Click THREE words!

• seniors

• adults

• running

• moving

• program

Multiple Choice

Which graphic would best be used with an article discussing employment opportunities for middle school students?

• 1 - "Main Street"

• 2 - "Afterschool Jobs"

• 3 - Profession Attire

• 4 - "Find the Perfect Job for You"

Multiple Choice

Which website is a more credible source?

Multiple Choice

Where could you find trusted information about Mars?

Multiple Choice

You are studying world festivals. You have to report on one festival and how it started. Which research question will be most useful?

• What are the main festivals in Asia?
• What are the origins of the Chinese New Year celebration?
• What do families do to Celebrate Chinese New Year?
• When is Chinese New Year?

Multiple Choice

You need to make a diorama of the Egyptian pyramids. Which resource would be most helpful to learn about their construction?

• An online journal of a tourist who spent a month exploring the pyramids
• An Egyptian government website that shows photos and videos of the pyramids
• A poetry database about ancient civilizations

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of a primary source?

• Any document studied in school

• Info that was created at the same time as an event or by a person directly involved in the event

• Any type of material that involves interviewing someone

• Information from somewhere else or by a person not directly involved in the event

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of a secondary source?

• Information from somewhere else or by a person not directly involved in the event.

• An informative website

• Encyclopedias that come from someone else's opinion

• Info that was created the same time of the event

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of a primary source?

• Encyclopedia

• Dictionary

• A speech

• Textbook

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of secondary source:

• Diaries

• Letters

• Official records

• Textbooks

Multiple Select

Choose TWO options that are primary sources.

• Encyclopedias

• Textbooks

• Letters

• Newspaper articles

• Dictionaries

Multiple Choice

Which of these have to be checked for reliability?

• Primary sources

• Secondary sources

• Both

Multiple Choice

Why should you cite your resources?

• To give credit to the people created it

• To copy another person's work

• To use it as our own

• None of the above

Poll

How confident do you feel in labeling effective research skills?

• 1: bad

• 2: ehh

• 3: good

• 4: very good

• 5: excellent

Poll

How confident do you feel in explaining the different research skills?

• 1: bad

• 2: ehh

• 3: good

• 4: very good

• 5: excellent