Research

On this page you can learn about what research is and some general tips to help with researching

What is Research?

To define what research is, we can simply look closely at the name itself. The word search means to seek or find, and the prefix "re-" means to repeat. When we put them together, we can understand that research is simply searching again. You, the researcher, are looking through already established knowledge and are seeking an answer to a question.

As a researcher, our job has been made easier in some ways by technology and the internet, but more difficult in others. The information below will help you become a better researcher.

What is a Research Question?

A research question, is a question that a researcher is looking to find an answer for. A good research question is open-ended and specific. Having a good research question in mind (I suggest writing it down somewhere visible while you research) is key to keeping your research on track and ensuring you are finding information related to answering the question you have.

😔 A poor research question looks like...

"How many school days are there in a year?"

This is not a strong research question because it is not open ended (it can be answered with a number).

💪 A good research question looks like...

"What factors are there when determining how many days are in a school year?"

This is a strong research question because it is open-ended and will lead the researcher to find more information about what they are looking for.

Is the Information Reliable?

This is the question every researcher needs to ask themselves when looking at information. What is the source? Are they trustworthy? Do they have bias? What is the author's motivation for writing? Who is the audience? Is the author a professional?

When answering any question, you need reliable information. Reliability is something that is a big topic in the internet age, and it is even more work on the researcher to determine reliability than ever before.

A great way to verify information is to ask, is it C.R.A.A.P.?

The C.R.A.A.P. Test

The C.R.A.A.P. Test is a great lens you can use to evaluate if a source is worthy of being included in your research. It will help you verify if the source you have located is helpful to your research (and your future essay) or if it is not reliable. The C.R.A.A.P. test can also be really helpful in reading the daily news!

Current
When was it written? Is the information too new, or too old?

As scientists, technology, and thinking progress; ideas change! Consider how much has changed in the medical world in the past hundred years. Ask yourself, is your source too old? Or maybe too new?

Relevant
The importance of information in connection to your needs.

Is the source relevant to what you are researching, or is it not closely related? You want to make sure your information and facts directly connect to your research subject.

Accuracy
The reliability of the information. Is it biased? Are there errors?

Is the information accurate? Are there errors in the data, or in the writing, that make it seem like the accuracy of the information could be flawed?

Authority
Who is the author? What authority do they have over the subject of which they are writing?

Is the author reliable? Are they a respected professional in their field? Are they even a real person? Does the author have credentials that make them an expert in their field.

Purpose
Why does this source exist (teach, sell, entertain)? Identify the intention of the author

What is the purpose of the source? Is it looking to sell you something, teach you something, or to entertain you? Maybe it is there to confuse the facts? Ask yourself, why did the author write/create this source?

Don't Forget About Citation!

Researchers are responsible for reporting their sources in their writing, check out the dedication citation section of this website to learn more about the basics of citation, citing specific sources, creating a works cited page, and more!

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