Gathering Facts Like a Pro: Simple Research Skills

The Dive

Research is like building a LEGO set—you need the right pieces and a clear plan. In school, those pieces are facts from trustworthy sources, and your plan is a simple question you’re trying to answer. Start by asking, “What do I need to know?” and “Where could I find it?”

Sources come in different shapes: dictionaries define words, encyclopedias give big overviews, newspapers and news sites report current events, journals share expert studies, and books go deep on one topic. Knowing the type of source helps you predict what kind of information you’ll find and how much you can trust it.

Use the SLICE roadmap to stay on track: S is for Sources (pick the right kinds); L is for Library (ask librarians, learn Dewey Decimal or online catalogs); I is for Integrity (be honest—no copying and understand what peer review means); C is for Citation (tell where you got your info); E is for Evaluation (check quality before you believe it).

Fact vs. opinion is the first test. A fact can be checked (“Sea turtles are reptiles”); an opinion is someone’s view (“Sea turtles are the coolest animals”). Both show up online, so label them clearly in your notes. If a sentence tells you how to feel instead of what is true, it’s probably opinion.

Older students can add the CRAAP check to every source: Is it Current? Relevant to your question? From an Author with real expertise? Accurate (matches other reliable sources)? What’s its Purpose (to inform, sell, or persuade)? If a source fails two or more checks, find a better one.

Smart searching saves time. Use specific keywords ("Ohio River Valley map 1754"), add helpers like quotes for exact phrases ("food chain"), or add a minus sign to remove distractions (pandas -baseball). In books, use the table of contents and index to jump to the exact pages you need.

Take neat, honest notes. Write the idea in your own words, capture a short quote only when it’s special, and always record the source’s title, author, and where you found it. Color-coding notes by source or subtopic makes organizing your final paragraph or slideshow much easier.

Citations are kindness to your reader and proof of your integrity. Even if you didn’t quote, you still owe credit for ideas and facts. Try simple formats for your grade: author, title, website or publisher, date. Later you’ll learn MLA/APA/Chicago, but starting now builds great habits.

Pull it together like a scientist: claim, evidence, reasoning. Make a clear claim that answers your question, support it with facts from more than one strong source, then explain in your own words why the evidence proves your point. That’s how research becomes real understanding.

When in doubt, ask a human. Librarians, teachers, and trusted adults can help you choose better sources, narrow a topic, or figure out if something online is fishy. Great researchers aren’t know-it-alls—they’re great ask-it-alls.

Why It Matters

Strong research skills turn curiosity into knowledge. When you can find trustworthy facts, check claims, and give credit, you build arguments that others can respect—and you learn how to learn for life.