Research Skills and Informational Texts

Finding and Evaluating Sources#

When you research a topic, you need information — but not all information is equally trustworthy. A key skill for Grade 4 researchers is learning to find good sources and evaluate whether they can be trusted.

Types of Sources#

Researchers use many types of sources:

• Books — Textbooks, nonfiction books, and reference books like encyclopedias are generally reliable.
• Encyclopedias — Both print and digital encyclopedias (like World Book or Britannica) provide accurate overviews of topics.
• Age-appropriate websites — Sites ending in .edu (educational) or .gov (government) are usually trustworthy. Sites created by museums, national parks, and libraries are also reliable.
• Magazines and newspapers — Reputable publications provide current, fact-checked information.

How to Evaluate a Source#

Before using a source, ask these questions:

1. Who wrote it? Is the author an expert on the topic?
2. When was it published? Is the information current, or might it be outdated?
3. Why was it written? Is the purpose to inform, or to sell something or push an opinion?
4. Can you verify it? Dös other reliable information say the same thing?

If you cannot answer these questions, be careful about using the source.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources#

• A primary source is created by someone who was there — a diary, a photograph, an interview, an original document.
• A secondary source describes or analyzes primary sources — a textbook chapter about the American Revolution, for example.

Good research often uses both types.

Using Multiple Sources#

Never rely on just one source. Use at least two or three sources to verify facts and gather a complete picture. When multiple reliable sources agree on a fact, you can be more confident it is accurate.

Developing strong source evaluation skills now will serve you throughout your education and life.