Research Skills

Why Research Skills Matter

Good research is the foundation of strong academic writing. Knowing how to find, evaluate, and use sources properly will help you throughout school and beyond.

Finding Sources

Use a variety of sources for well-rounded research:

• Books and textbooks — detailed, authoritative information
• Encyclopaedias (Britannica, World Book) — reliable overviews
• Academic journals — peer-reviewed research
• Government/university websites (.gov, .ac.uk, .edu) — authoritative data
• News websites from established outlets

⚠️ Be cautious with: anonymous sites, social media, forums, Wikipedia as a primary source (it's fine as a starting point, not a final citation).

Evaluating Sources: CRAAP Test

• Currency — when was it published? Is it up to date?
• Relevance — does it directly relate to your topic?
• Authority — who wrote it? Are they an expert?
• Accuracy — is the information supported by evidence?
• Purpose — why was it written? To inform, sell, or persuade?

Taking Notes

• Don't copy entire sentences — paraphrase in your own words.
• Note source details immediately (author, title, date, URL) — you'll need them for your citations.
• Mark any direct quotes clearly so you remember to use quotation marks.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism = using someone else's words, ideas, or data without giving credit. It is a serious academic offence. Always cite your sources.