Evaluating research sources

Question 1

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a recording of a politician's speech

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 2

Read the question and choose. For a report on current smartphone use among teenagers, which source is LEAST useful?

• A. a recent university study
• B. a recent official statistics release
• C. a national survey from last year
• D. a survey from 2009

Question 3

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a recording of a politician's speech

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 4

Read the question and choose. Which detail best shows that a website is accountable for its content?

• A. it has thousands of followers
• B. it uses a professional-looking logo
• C. it names its authors and editors and publishes corrections
• D. it has lots of adverts

Question 5

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a magazine article summarising several scientific studies

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 6

Read the question and choose. What does 'peer-reviewed' mean?

• A. it was written by students
• B. other experts checked the research before it was published
• C. it is very popular
• D. it was published online

Question 7

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a history textbook chapter about the First World War

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 8

Read the question and choose. A study on the benefits of a sugary cereal was funded by the cereal company. What should a careful researcher do?

• A. only read the summary
• B. ignore it completely, because funded studies are always false
• C. note the conflict of interest and look for independent studies
• D. treat it as the most reliable source

Question 9

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a magazine article summarising several scientific studies

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 10

Read the question and choose. For a report on current smartphone use among teenagers, which source is LEAST useful?

• A. a national survey from last year
• B. a recent university study
• C. a survey from 2009
• D. a recent official statistics release

Question 11

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a diary written by a soldier during the First World War

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 12

Read the question and choose. For a report on current smartphone use among teenagers, which source is LEAST useful?

• A. a recent university study
• B. a national survey from last year
• C. a recent official statistics release
• D. a survey from 2009

Question 13

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a photograph taken at a 1963 protest march

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 14

Read the question and choose. What does 'peer-reviewed' mean?

• A. it was published online
• B. other experts checked the research before it was published
• C. it is very popular
• D. it was written by students

Question 15

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a review of a new film

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 16

Read the question and choose. Which detail best shows that a website is accountable for its content?

• A. it has lots of adverts
• B. it uses a professional-looking logo
• C. it has thousands of followers
• D. it names its authors and editors and publishes corrections