Research and Citation Skills
Grade 8 · English · Study Guide
Learn how to find, evaluate, and properly cite sources to write strong, credible research papers.
Research writing is more than finding information — it is finding the RIGHT information from credible sources and giving proper credit for it. When evaluating a source, use the CRAAP test: Currency (how recent is it?), Relevance (does it relate to your topic?), Authority (who wrote it and are they qualified?), Accuracy (is the information supported by evidence?), and Purpose (why was it created — to inform, sell, or persuade?).
Sources fall into categories. Primary sources are original materials: a diary entry, a historical document, original research data, a photograph. Secondary sources analyze or interpret primary sources: a textbook, a biography, a documentary. For most academic research, you want a mix. Wikipedia can be a starting point to get oriented, but its content can be edited by anyone — always follow its citations to the original sources.
Plagiarism — presenting someone else's ideas or words as your own — is a serious academic offense. Proper citation prevents plagiarism and gives credit to the original thinker. The two most common citation formats in middle school are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). In MLA, an in-text citation looks like: (Author Last Name page number). A Works Cited entry for a book follows this pattern: Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
| Letter | Stands For | Key Question |
|---|---|---|
| C | Currency | When was it published? Is it recent enough for this topic? |
| R | Relevance | Does it directly relate to your research question? |
| A | Authority | Who wrote it? What are their credentials? |
| A | Accuracy | Is the information supported by evidence and citations? |
| P | Purpose | Was it written to inform, sell, entertain, or persuade? |
Key terms
- CRAAP test
- A framework for evaluating sources: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.
- Primary source
- An original, firsthand document or artifact (diary, speech, data, photograph).
- Secondary source
- A source that analyzes or interprets primary sources (textbook, biography, documentary).
- Plagiarism
- Using another person's words or ideas without giving them credit.
- MLA format
- A citation style from the Modern Language Association, common in English and humanities classes.
- Works Cited
- The MLA bibliography page listing all sources referenced in a paper.
Flashcards
- CRAAP test
- Source evaluation tool: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.
- Primary source
- An original firsthand document: diary, photograph, speech, raw data, historical artifact.
- Secondary source
- Analyzes or interprets primary sources: biography, textbook, documentary.
- Plagiarism
- Presenting another person's words or ideas as your own without citation — a serious academic offense.
- MLA format
- Citation style used in English/humanities: in-text (Author page) + Works Cited page.
- Works Cited
- The MLA bibliography page listing every source used in a paper, in alphabetical order.
Practice questions
What does the 'A' for Authority in the CRAAP test ask you to evaluate?
- When the source was published
- Whether the source is relevant to your topic
- Who wrote it and whether they are qualified
- What the purpose of the source is
Show answer
Answer: Who wrote it and whether they are qualified
Authority checks whether the author has the credentials, expertise, or institutional backing to make their claims trustworthy.
Wikipedia is considered a reliable primary source for academic research papers.
Show answer
Answer: False
Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, making it unreliable as a primary source. Use it to get oriented, then follow its citations to credible original sources.
Using someone else's words or ideas without giving credit is called ___.
Show answer
Answer: plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. Proper citation — giving credit through in-text citations and a Works Cited or References page — prevents it.
Which of these is an example of a PRIMARY source?
- A textbook chapter about World War II
- A biography of Abraham Lincoln
- A diary written by a Civil War soldier
- A documentary about the moon landing
Show answer
Answer: A diary written by a Civil War soldier
A diary is a firsthand, original document written by someone with direct experience of the events — the definition of a primary source.
In MLA format, the bibliography page listing all sources used is called the Works Cited page.
Show answer
Answer: True
The MLA Works Cited page lists every source referenced in the paper in alphabetical order, giving readers the information to find each source themselves.
Fun facts
- The first footnote citation system resembling modern practice was developed by scholars in 17th-century Europe to track theological debates — today the same idea protects intellectual integrity worldwide.
- A 2019 Stanford study found that most middle and high school students struggled to identify sponsored content online — making source evaluation skills more critical than ever.
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