What is research?
Research is the process of finding information to answer a question. Scientists research to make discoveries. Reporters research to write news stories. Students research to write reports and learn about the world.
Good research is like detective work: you ask a question, look for clues in different places, check that the clues are trustworthy, and then put together what you learned.
Types of reference sources
A reference source is a book or website you consult to look up information.
| Source | What it contains | Use it to… |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | words in ABC order with meanings, pronunciations, parts of speech | find a word’s meaning or spelling |
| Thesaurus | synonyms and antonyms | find a better word |
| Encyclopedia | articles on many topics, in ABC order | get an overview of a topic |
| Atlas | maps of places, regions and the world | find locations, borders and geography |
| Almanac | facts and statistics, updated yearly | find current numbers, records and data |
| Nonfiction books | detailed information on one topic | learn a topic in depth |
| Magazines and newspapers | recent articles and news | find current events |
| Websites and databases | online information | find a wide range of information quickly |
Using an encyclopedia
An encyclopedia has articles about many topics. Print encyclopedias come in volumes labelled by letter. Use guide words at the top of pages to find your topic, and look at the index for related articles. Online encyclopedias let you search by keyword.
Using an atlas
An atlas contains maps. Use the index to find a place, then use the grid letters and numbers to locate it on the map. Check the legend (map key) to understand symbols and the scale to measure distance.
The research process
1. Ask a focused question
Animals is too broad. How do bats use echolocation to find food? is focused and answerable.
2. Identify keywords
A keyword is an important word or phrase to search for. For the question above: bats, echolocation, hunting.
Search tips:
– Use specific nouns: echolocation bats rather than how do bats find their food at night.
– Try synonyms if you get no results.
3. Find sources
Start with a general source (encyclopedia) for an overview, then use books, articles and websites for detail. Aim for at least two or three sources so you can check facts against each other.
4. Evaluate your sources
Not everything you read is true. A reliable source is trustworthy. Ask:
- Who wrote it? Is the author an expert, a museum, a university, a government agency or a respected news organization?
- Is it current? When was it published or updated?
- Is it accurate? Do other sources say the same thing?
- Why was it written? Is it trying to inform, or trying to sell something?
Websites ending in .gov or .edu, well-known museums, and established publishers are often reliable. Be careful with anonymous posts, ads and sites that anyone can edit.
5. Take notes
- Write key facts in your own words, using short phrases, not full sentences.
- Organize notes by subtopic (for example: what echolocation is, how it works, which bats use it).
- Record the source for each note.
6. Avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism means copying someone else’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own. To avoid it:
- Paraphrase: read, cover the source, write the idea in your own words, then check.
- Quote exact words only when they are important, and put them in quotation marks.
- Give credit to every source.
7. Create a bibliography
A bibliography lists your sources. A simple format for grades 3 to 5:
Author (if known). Title. Publisher or website. Date.
Example: Smith, Jane. Bats of the World. Maple Press, 2022.
Worked example
Question: Why do leaves change colour in the fall?
- Keywords: leaves, fall colour, chlorophyll.
- Sources: a children’s encyclopedia, a book about trees, a university extension website.
- Notes:
– green colour = chlorophyll
– shorter days → tree stops making chlorophyll
– yellow and orange pigments were there all along
– red comes from new pigments made in fall - Check: all three sources agree.
- Paraphrased sentence: As days get shorter, trees stop producing chlorophyll, so the yellow and orange colours hidden in the leaves become visible.
Common mistakes
- Researching a topic that is too broad. Narrow it to a question.
- Using only one source. Compare at least two.
- Trusting any website. Evaluate before you use it.
- Copying sentences. Paraphrase and give credit.
- Forgetting where information came from. Record sources as you go.
Try it yourself
- Which source would you use to find the capital of Peru?
- Which source would you use to find a synonym for happy?
- Make this question more focused: Tell me about space.
- List three keywords for the question: How do bees make honey?
- Paraphrase: “Honeybees collect nectar from flowers and store it in their honey stomachs.”
Answers: 1. An atlas or encyclopedia. 2. A thesaurus. 3. Example: What is a black hole and how does it form? 4. bees, honey, nectar. 5. Example: Bees gather a sweet liquid from flowers and carry it in a special stomach.
Study tip
Use a simple note-taking chart with three columns: Fact (in my words), Subtopic, Source. It keeps your research organized and makes writing your report much easier.
Quick recap
- Research answers a focused question.
- Reference sources include dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases and almanacs.
- Use keywords to search effectively.
- Evaluate sources for reliability.
- Take notes in your own words, avoid plagiarism and list your sources.