Research Skills and Citations

Grade 7 · English · Study Guide

Learn how to find credible sources, evaluate information for reliability, take organized notes, and cite sources correctly to avoid plagiarism.

Research is how humans build knowledge on top of knowledge. When you write a research paper, you're joining a conversation that has been going on for decades or centuries. Knowing how to find good information and give credit to your sources is what separates real research from just copying things off the internet.

Not all sources are equal. A .gov or .edu website is generally more reliable than a random blog. Peer-reviewed articles have been checked by experts before publication. Wikipedia is a decent starting point but should never be your final source — anyone can edit it. When evaluating sources, use the CRAAP test: Currency (how recent?), Relevance (does it fit your topic?), Authority (who wrote it?), Accuracy (is it supported by evidence?), and Purpose (is it trying to inform or persuade?).

Taking organized notes is the difference between researching and drowning in information. Write the source information first, then record only the key ideas — paraphrase in your own words rather than copying exact sentences. When you do copy exact words, use quotation marks. This prevents accidental plagiarism, which is using someone else's words or ideas without credit, whether intentional or not.

Citations tell readers where information came from so they can check it themselves. The two most common formats in middle school are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). Both require the author, title, publication, and date — but the formatting differs. A Works Cited page (MLA) or References page (APA) lists every source at the end of your paper. In-text citations appear in the body of your paper, pointing the reader to the full citation at the end.

Key terms

Primary source

An original, firsthand document or evidence (diary, speech, experiment data)

Secondary source

An analysis or interpretation of primary sources (textbook, biography)

Citation

A reference that identifies where information came from

Plagiarism

Using someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit

Paraphrase

Restating someone else's ideas in your own words while maintaining the meaning

Works Cited

An MLA-style list of all sources used in a paper

Peer-reviewed

A source checked and approved by expert scholars before publication

Flashcards

Primary source

Firsthand original document — diary, speech, photograph, experiment

Secondary source

Analysis of primary sources — textbook, biography, documentary

Plagiarism

Using someone else's words or ideas without proper credit

Paraphrase

Restate ideas in your own words — still requires a citation

CRAAP test

Evaluate sources by Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose

Works Cited (MLA)

MLA-format list of all sources at the end of a paper

Practice questions

1. Which of the following is considered a primary source?

   1. A textbook chapter about World War II
   2. A biography of Abraham Lincoln
   3. A diary entry written by a Civil War soldier
   4. An encyclopedia article about the moon landing
   Show answer

   Answer: A diary entry written by a Civil War soldier

   Primary sources are firsthand accounts — the soldier was there and wrote about it directly. Textbooks and biographies are secondary.

2. Plagiarism only occurs when you intentionally copy someone else's exact words.

   Show answer

   Answer: False

   Plagiarism includes unintentional copying too — forgetting to cite a paraphrase is still plagiarism even if accidental.

3. Restating someone else's ideas in your own words is called ___.

   Show answer

   Answer: paraphrasing

   Paraphrasing means putting ideas in your own words — you still need to cite the source, but you don't use quotation marks.

4. According to the CRAAP test, what does the 'A' for Authority refer to?

   1. How accurate the information is
   2. Who wrote the source and their credentials
   3. How recent the publication is
   4. Whether the source is available online
   Show answer

   Answer: Who wrote the source and their credentials

   Authority asks: is this person qualified to speak on this topic? A doctor writing about medicine carries more authority than an anonymous blogger.

5. A Works Cited page is associated with which citation format?

   1. APA
   2. Chicago
   3. MLA
   4. Harvard
   Show answer

   Answer: MLA

   MLA (Modern Language Association) uses a Works Cited page. APA uses a References page. Both list all sources used.

Fun facts

• The word 'plagiarism' comes from the Latin 'plagiarius,' meaning kidnapper — you're literally kidnapping someone's words.
• The Modern Language Association (MLA) updates its formatting guidelines every few years — always double-check you're using the current edition.

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