Research Skills
Grade 5 · English · Study Guide
Learn how to find reliable information, evaluate sources, take notes, and cite what you use.
Research skills are the tools you need to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. Good researchers don't just find any source — they look for credible, accurate, and relevant information from trustworthy authors or organizations.
When evaluating a source, ask: Who wrote it? When was it published? Why was it written? Is it based on facts or opinions? Websites ending in .gov, .edu, and .org are often more reliable than random blogs, but always check the author's credentials.
Taking notes using your own words (paraphrasing) helps you understand what you've read and avoids plagiarism. When you use someone else's idea, fact, or quote in your work, you must cite your source to give that person credit.
| Letter | Stands For | Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| C | Currency | Is it recent enough for my topic? |
| R | Relevance | Does it answer my research question? |
| A | Authority | Who wrote it — are they an expert? |
| A | Accuracy | Are the facts supported by evidence? |
| P | Purpose | Why was it written — to inform, sell, or persuade? |
| Source Type | Reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .gov websites | High | Government sources, usually factual |
| .edu websites | High | Academic/university sources |
| Encyclopedias | High | Great for background information |
| News sites | Medium | Check for bias; use established outlets |
| Random blogs | Low | Anyone can write one — check credentials |
| Wikipedia | Medium | Good starting point; check its own sources |
Key terms
- Credible Source
- A trustworthy, accurate, and reliable source of information written by a qualified author
- Plagiarism
- Using someone else's words or ideas without giving them credit — it is dishonest
- Paraphrase
- Restating information in your own words while keeping the original meaning
- Citation
- A note that tells readers where you found a piece of information
Practice questions
Which source would be MOST reliable for a report on climate change?
- A personal blog by an unknown author
- A NASA.gov article written by climate scientists
- A social media post with many likes
- An advertisement from an energy company
Show answer
.gov sites from expert organizations like NASA are highly credible and factual.
What is plagiarism?
- Writing a bibliography
- Using someone else's words or ideas without giving them credit
- Paraphrasing information from a source
- Taking notes from a book
Show answer
Plagiarism is academic dishonesty — it means taking credit for work that isn't yours.
When you restate information in your own words while keeping the original meaning, you are _______.
Show answer
Paraphrasing helps you show understanding and avoids copying someone else's exact words.
What does the 'A for Authority' in the CRAAP test ask you to check?
- When the source was published
- Who wrote the source and whether they are an expert
- Whether the source is interesting
- How many pages the source has
Show answer
Authority checks the author's credentials — a doctor writing about medicine is more credible than an anonymous writer.
Why do researchers cite their sources?
- To make their paper longer
- To give credit to the original author and allow readers to verify information
- To copy information correctly
- To avoid reading the source
Show answer
Citations are about honesty and transparency — they show where ideas came from and let others check them.
Fun facts
- The word 'plagiarism' comes from the Latin word 'plagiarius,' meaning kidnapper — taking someone's ideas without permission is like stealing.
- The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. holds over 170 million items and is considered one of the world's most reliable research resources.
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