Research and Citing Sources

A student named Sarah needs to write a [research] report about creating a butterfly garden (habitat). Which of these sources should Sarah use to write her report?

Source 1: The Lifecycle of a Butterfly

Source 2: Amazing Facts about Butterflies

Source 3: Butterfly Habitat

Source 4: Butterfly Life Span

• Source 1: The Lifecycle of a Butterfly

• Source 2: Amazing Facts about Butterflies

• Source 3: Butterfly Habitat

• Source 4: Butterfly Life Span

Which source would be most effective in answering the following research question: What are some modern strategies for preventing and ending homelessness?

• A published research paper on solutions for homelessness by a public health group

• A newspaper article on a recent spike [increase] in sleepiness in New Orleans [a city in Louisiana]

• A city planning budget [government document that explains how a city spends money]

• A list of food pantries available in Philadelphia [a city in Pennsylvania]

Which source would be MOST EFFECTIVE in answering the following research question:

Based on the history of feminism [the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities], is there value in a modern-day women's movement?

• an interview with a self-described [a person who calls herself a] feminist

• An [news] article about women in politics

• a [concert] tour schedule of a feminist singer

• A biography of a pioneering woman

Which [online] search term would be MOST EFFECTIVE when gathering information about how to set up a tropical fish aquarium [at home, for the first time]?

• tropical fish for beginners

• tropical fish breeding [making lots of fish]

• tropical fish images or pictures

• tropical fish in the wild

A student named Juan needs to write a research report about the journey a frog makes from tadpole to adult frog. Which of the following sources would be BEST to use to write his report?

Source 1: Metamorphosis: The Lifecycle of a Frog

[transformation from tadpole to adult frog]

Source 2: Amazing Facts about the Frog

[frog sounds and jumping distances]

Source 3: Frog Facts

[frog sleeping habits]

Source 4: Frog Biology

[the study of frog body parts]

• Source 1: Metamorphosis: The Lifecycle of a Frog

• Source 2: Amazing Facts about the Frog

• Source 3: Frog Facts

• Source 4: Frog Biology

A student named Melissa needs to write a research report about electric cars. Which of the following sources would provide the MOST CREDIBLE (reliable) and accurate source for her report?

Source 1: “Electric Cars: Pros and Cons"

[consumer reports team online review]

Source 2: “I Love My Electric Car”

[CA business woman online review]

Source 3: “The Electric Car Forum”

[website by random and unknown car lovers/enthusiasts]

Source 4: “All About Electric Cars”

[website by random Internet users]

• Source 1 ("Electric Cars: Pros and Cons")

• Source 2 (“I Love My Electric Car”)

• Source 3 (“The Electric Car Forum”)

• Source 4 (“All About Electric Cars”)

A student named Olivia needs to write a research report about Yosemite National Park. Which TWO (2) of the following are MOST LIKELY to be credible [reliable] sources to use in her report? PICK TWO (2).

• an article about the geographical features (land study) of Yosemite National Park that includes the author’s name and works cited

• a government-maintained website about Yosemite National Park

• a website made by unknown strangers about Yosemite National Park

• a blog from a random person hiking through Yosemite National Park

A student named Latoya needs to write a report about the Civil War. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY to be a credible [reliable] and accurate source to use in her report?

• an encyclopedia article [collection of books or websites that provides lots of information about different topics] about the Civil War

• a blog post from unknown strangers about the Civil War

• a TikTok video that shows a fake and random Civil War reenactment / performance

• a map of the United States before and after the Civil War

A student named Rachel needs to write a report about scuba diving. Which of the following is likely to be the MOST CREDIBLE [reliable] and accurate source to use for her report?

• a magazine article by a certified diving expert on the best places in the world to go scuba diving

• an online forum by random people about the best places to scuba dive

• a blog website post by total strangers about scuba diving

• a TV ad by a Hawaiian tourist company about scuba diving

A student named Jim needs to write a research report about honeybees. Which of the following would be the MOST credible [reliable] and accurate source for his report?

Source 1: Instagram hashtag #busybee

[social media pictures of different busy people]

Source 2: “Honey Bees”

[government online article written by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)]

Source 3: “Big Bob’s Bee Blog”

[online blog written by a lawyer with bees in his backyard]

Source 4: “Bee Sting Remedies”

[online ad for anti-itch cream from bee stings]

• Source 1: #busybee [social media hashtag]

• Source 2: “Honey Bees” [government article]

• Source 3: “Big Bob’s Bee Blog” [online post]

• Source 4: “Bee Sting Remedies” [ad]