Research a Topic Using Books and Websites
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What you will learn
- 1Identify and evaluate different types of research sources
- 2Use a note-taking frame to record information from each source
- 3Match each source type to the correct way to use it
Mini Lesson
Good research starts with finding the right sources. A source is any place you get information — books, websites, encyclopedias, dictionaries (for word meanings), magazines, and even interviews. Not all sources are equally reliable, so researchers always check who wrote it and why.
Types of Sources
- Non-fiction books — written by experts; use the index to find your topic quickly.
- Websites — check the URL (.edu, .org, .gov are usually reliable); note the date.
- Encyclopedias — great for overviews; look up the topic entry and note key facts.
- Magazines and articles — useful for current events and recent discoveries.
- Expert interviews (always with a grown-up) — primary sources that give first-hand knowledge.
How to Take Source Notes
- Write the source title and author.
- Note the type of source (book, website, etc.).
- Record three or more key facts in bullet form, in your own words.
- Write the page number, URL, or section heading.
- Note the date you accessed it (important for websites).
Words to know
research
Looking up information to learn about a topic.
e.g. She did research on dolphins for her report.
source
A place where information comes from.
e.g. Books, websites, and articles are sources.
reliable source
A source you can trust to be accurate.
e.g. An encyclopedia is a reliable source.
website
A page or set of pages on the internet.
e.g. The library website has news and events.
author
The person who wrote the information.
e.g. Check the author to see if a source is reliable.
note-taking
Writing short reminders of important facts.
e.g. Note-taking helps you remember what you read.
Tip: Use at least two different source types for any research project. This makes your information more reliable and well-rounded.
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