Research & Citing Sources — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
My research topic is "everything about space" which should be easy to cover in two pages.
Corrected: I should narrow my topic to something specific, such as "How do astronauts train for space missions?"
"Everything about space" is far too broad to cover in a short report. Narrowing to a specific question like astronaut training gives you a clear focus and makes it easier to find relevant sources.
2. Fix the sentence:
I typed one word into the search engine and clicked the very first result without reading any others.
Corrected: I should use specific keywords and compare several search results before choosing the best source.
Using specific keywords returns more relevant results, and comparing several sources helps you pick the most reliable one. The first result is not always the best or most accurate.
3. Fix the sentence:
I only used one book for my entire report because finding more sources takes too long.
Corrected: I should use at least three different sources so my report has balanced and well-supported information.
Relying on just one source means your report only presents one perspective, and if that source contains errors, your whole report will too. Using at least three sources gives you a more balanced and accurate picture.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Using specific keywords when searching online helps you find more useful results.
Specific keywords tell the search engine exactly what you are looking for, so it returns pages closely related to your topic instead of thousands of unrelated results.
2. A research question is a specific question that guides your investigation.
A research question gives your project a clear direction by stating exactly what you want to find out, which keeps you focused as you search for information.
3. If your topic is too broad, you should narrow it down to a more focused idea.
Narrowing a broad topic helps you go deeper into one area rather than skimming the surface of too many ideas. A focused topic is much easier to research and write about in a few pages.
4. A good research plan starts with brainstorming questions and then finding sources to answer them.
After brainstorming questions, you need to find sources like books, websites, and articles that contain the answers. Without sources, your research has no evidence to support its claims.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why is it better to turn a broad topic into a focused research question?
Sample answer: A focused research question helps you find specific information and keeps your report organized, instead of trying to cover too many ideas at once.
A good answer includes: A focused research question helps you find specific information and keeps your report organized, instead of trying to cover too many ideas at once.
2. Give an example of how you could narrow the broad topic "animals" into a good research question.
Sample answer: You could narrow it to "How do emperor penguins survive in Antarctica?" so you have a clear focus for finding sources and writing your report.
A good answer includes: You could narrow it to "How do emperor penguins survive in Antarctica?" so you have a clear focus for finding sources and writing your report.