Why research skills matter
We live surrounded by information: websites, videos, social media posts, news articles and AI-generated text. Some of it is excellent. Some is outdated, biased or simply false. Knowing how to find, evaluate and use information responsibly is one of the most important skills you will develop, in school and in life.
Step 1: Develop a research question
A strong research question:
- is focused, not too broad or narrow,
- is open-ended (cannot be answered with yes or no or a single fact),
- is researchable with available sources,
- matters to you or your audience.
| Too broad | Too narrow | Focused |
|---|---|---|
| What about climate change? | What was Toronto’s temperature on July 4? | How are rising temperatures affecting maple syrup production in Quebec? |
| What about video games? | Who made Minecraft? | Do strategy video games improve problem-solving skills in teens? |
Write sub-questions to guide your search: What causes…? Who is affected? What solutions exist?
Step 2: Find sources
Types of sources
- A primary source is original and firsthand: interviews, diaries, speeches, photographs, surveys, original scientific data.
- A secondary source interprets primary sources: textbooks, encyclopedia entries, news analysis, documentaries.
Good research uses both.
Where to search
- Library catalogue for books.
- Databases your school or public library subscribes to. A database contains articles from magazines, newspapers and journals that have been checked by editors.
- Search engines, used strategically.
- Government, university and museum websites.
- Experts and community members (interviews).
Search strategies
- Use keywords, not full questions: maple syrup climate Quebec.
- Use quotation marks for exact phrases: “urban heat island”.
- Add site: to limit domains: site:gc.ca maple syrup.
- Try synonyms if results are poor.
- Look at the sources cited in a good article to find more.
Step 3: Evaluate sources
Not all sources deserve your trust. Evaluate credibility before you use information.
The CRAAP test
| Criterion | Questions |
|---|---|
| Currency | When was it published or updated? Is that recent enough for your topic? |
| Relevance | Does it directly address your question? Is it at an appropriate level? |
| Authority | Who is the author or organization? What are their qualifications? |
| Accuracy | Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be verified elsewhere? Are there errors? |
| Purpose | Why was it created: to inform, persuade, sell or entertain? Is there bias? |
Lateral reading
Professional fact-checkers do not just study a website closely; they leave it and search what other sources say about it. This is called lateral reading.
- Open a new tab.
- Search the organization or author’s name.
- See what reliable sources say: Is it a respected institution? An advocacy group? Funded by an industry?
Lateral reading is fast and highly effective for spotting unreliable sites.
Warning signs
- No author or organization listed.
- Emotional, sensational headlines or language.
- Many spelling and grammar errors.
- Claims without sources or with broken links.
- Heavy advertising or a product to sell.
- Information that contradicts most other reliable sources.
Misinformation and AI-generated content
Misinformation spreads quickly online. Be cautious with:
- screenshots without links to original sources,
- images that may be edited or taken out of context (reverse image search can help),
- AI-generated text, which may sound confident but contain errors or invented sources.
Always verify important facts in at least two reliable, independent sources.
Step 4: Take organized notes
- Record full source information immediately (author, title, publisher or website, date, URL).
- Paraphrase in your own words; use quotation marks for exact words.
- Organize notes by sub-question or subtopic.
- Note page numbers or paragraph numbers.
Step 5: Synthesize and cite
- Combine information from multiple sources to answer your question.
- Note where sources agree and disagree.
- Cite all sources using the required style (often MLA).
- Never present others’ words or ideas as your own.
Worked example: evaluating two sources
Question: Are energy drinks safe for teenagers?
Source A: a website called PowerUp Facts, no author, sells energy drinks, says energy drinks are “completely safe and boost brain power.”
– Authority: unclear; purpose: sales; accuracy: no evidence cited. Not credible.
Source B: an article from the Canadian Paediatric Society, written by physicians, updated recently, citing studies on caffeine and adolescents.
– Authority: medical experts; purpose: inform; accuracy: cites research. Credible.
Common mistakes
- Starting with a topic instead of a question.
- Using only the first search result.
- Trusting a site because it looks professional.
- Copying information without recording the source.
- Ignoring sources that disagree with your expectations.
Try it yourself
- Improve this research question: What about recycling?
- Primary or secondary? A soldier’s letter from 1917. A textbook chapter about the First World War.
- Apply one CRAAP criterion: a 2009 article about the latest smartphone technology.
- What is lateral reading, and why is it useful?
Possible answers: 1. How effective is curbside recycling in reducing waste in Canadian cities? 2. Primary; secondary. 3. Currency: it is outdated for a fast-changing topic. 4. Checking what other sources say about a website or author; it quickly reveals reliability and bias.
Study tip
Create a research log with columns for source, CRAAP notes and key information. Filling it in as you go makes citing and writing much easier at the end.
Quick recap
- Start with a focused, open-ended research question.
- Use both primary and secondary sources, including library databases.
- Evaluate sources with the CRAAP test and lateral reading.
- Watch for misinformation and verify important facts.
- Take organized notes with full source information, and cite everything.