Rating Sources

Worksheet Description

The “Using Reference Tools” worksheet is an educational resource designed to guide students through the process of conducting research on a given topic or question.

At the beginning of the worksheet, students are prompted to write down their specific topic or question, providing a clear focus for their inquiry. Following this, they are asked to circle which sources of information they believe will be most helpful for their research from a list that includes books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, interviews, magazines, newspapers, online research, thesauruses, and an option for other unspecified sources.

The next section encourages students to skim the sources they have identified to find relevant information and list the titles of three chosen resources. They are then instructed to rate each source based on how much useful information it provides, with a scale ranging from ‘1: not much info’ to ‘4: LOTS of info’. This step teaches students to evaluate the quality and relevance of information critically.

Finally, students must review their ratings and decide on the next steps in their research process, whether they believe they have enough information to complete their report or need to consult their teacher about changing topics or finding better sources. This worksheet not only helps students develop essential research skills but also fosters independence and critical thinking in information gathering and evaluation.