Evaluating research sources

Question 1

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 2

Read the question and choose. Two reliable sources disagree about a statistic. What is the best response?

• A. pick the number that supports your argument
• B. leave out the topic
• C. check how each figure was measured and report the disagreement fairly
• D. average the two numbers without explanation

Question 3

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 4

Read the question and choose. Two reliable sources disagree about a statistic. What is the best response?

• A. average the two numbers without explanation
• B. pick the number that supports your argument
• C. check how each figure was measured and report the disagreement fairly
• D. leave out the topic

Question 5

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? the original data table from a scientist's experiment

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 6

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 survey from 2009
• D. a national survey from last year

Question 7

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 8

Read the question and choose. Two reliable sources disagree about a statistic. What is the best response?

• A. pick the number that supports your argument
• B. check how each figure was measured and report the disagreement fairly
• C. leave out the topic
• D. average the two numbers without explanation

Question 9

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 10

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

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

Question 11

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a novelist's handwritten letters to her publisher

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 12

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

Question 13

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 14

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 has lots of adverts
• D. it names its authors and editors and publishes corrections

Question 15

For a research project, is this usually a primary or a secondary source? a novelist's handwritten letters to her publisher

• A. primary source
• B. secondary source

Question 16

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