Research a topic using multiple sources and note-taking strategies

Research is more than typing a word into a search bar. Strong researchers start with a clear question, find at least two trustworthy sources, take notes in their own words, and write down where every fact came from. The goal is not to copy — the goal is to UNDERSTAND a topic well enough to explain it yourself.

Step 1 — Ask a clear research question

Before you open any book or website, write a real question. "Whales" is a topic, not a question. "How do humpback whales communicate over long distances?" is a question. A good question is specific, answerable in a paragraph or two, and narrow enough to fit on one notecard.

Step 2 — Use multiple sources (at least TWO)

• Reference works — encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases (great starting point).
• Library books — published, edited, with named authors you can check.
• Government sites (.gov) and museum sites — usually reliable.
• Peer-reviewed articles — written by experts and checked by other experts.
• News sites — useful, but check the date and the publisher.

How to judge if a source is RELIABLE

1. Author — is there a real, named author with relevant expertise?
2. Date — was it written or updated recently enough for the topic?
3. Purpose — is it informing readers, or trying to sell something?
4. Evidence — does it cite its own sources, or just make claims?
5. Cross-check — does at least one OTHER source say the same thing?

Step 3 — Take notes the smart way

• One source per page (or notecard) — never mix sources on one card.
• Write the source FIRST — title, author, website, date.
• Write key facts as bullet points in YOUR own words.
• Mark direct quotations with quotation marks and a page number.
• End each card with a one-sentence summary that answers your question.