Research Skills

Research is the process of finding information to answer a question or learn about a topic. Good research skills help you find reliable facts, organize what you learn, and share it with others. Whether you are writing a report or just curious about something, research skills are essential.

Steps in the Research Process

Start by choosing a topic and asking a question you want to answer. Then find sources like books, websites, and articles. Take notes on the important information. Organize your notes into an outline. Finally, write about what you learned in your own words.

Finding Good Sources

Not all sources are equally reliable. Books from the library, educational websites, and encyclopedias are usually trustworthy. Check who wrote the information and when it was published. Use more than one source to make sure your facts are correct. Ask a librarian or teacher for help if you are not sure where to look.

Fun Facts

• The word research means to search again, because good researchers check their information carefully.
• Librarians are trained experts who can help you find information on any topic.
• The internet has made research faster, but it has also made it harder to tell good sources from bad ones.

Did You Know?

Before the internet, students had to go to the library and look through card catalogs and books to do research for school projects.