Rating Sources

Worksheet Description

The “Using Reference Tools” worksheet is an educational resource aimed at enhancing students’ research skills. This worksheet is structured to guide students through the initial stages of information gathering for any given topic or question. The worksheet starts with a section where students can clearly define their topic or question, setting the stage for a focused research process.

In the second section, students are presented with a range of information sources, including books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, interviews, magazines, newspapers, online research, thesauruses, and others. They are instructed to circle the sources they believe will be most helpful in researching their topic. There’s also a provision for specifying any additional sources not listed. Following this, the third section requires students to skim through at least three chosen sources, list their titles, and rate the information they provide on a scale from one to four, based on the relevance and depth of the information.

Finally, students are asked to review their ratings and decide on the next steps. They can either proceed with their research if they believe they’ve found enough information or consider seeking help to refine their topic or find better sources. This reflective step encourages critical thinking and self-assessment, which are crucial for developing independent learning skills.