Teaching best research practices
to middle and high school students
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Welcome, scholars! Even though we are currently unable to meet in person through our classroom visit program and public workshops, our team has been hard at work ensuring that research-related educational content is available on our website. Check out the links below to review free educational content. Learn in your own way, at your own pace!
FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH
In this lesson we dive into the fundamentals of scientific research and exploration. We explain the foundations of what research is, how to properly address a scientific question, and the importance of being a critical thinker.
Additionally, we explore the difference between a fact, theory, and law, among other terminology, as you explore the way in which scientists view the world. This session intends to provide fundamental tools and knowledge necessary to become an effective and unbiased consumer of information.
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After reviewing this material, you will be able to:
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Differentiate between a fact, hypothesis, law, and theory
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Identify the importance of critical thinking, both in your day-to-day as a consumer of information and as a scientist
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Understand the necessity of, and be able to identify, credible sources of information
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
In this lesson, we invite you to question the relationship between research and critical thinking and reflect on the importance of these activities in and outside of the classroom.
Good science is methodical: it's objectives, scope, design, and expectations are clearly defined by investigators. The scientific method is essential in research as we challenge previously established conclusions and strive to formulate future directions for research. as you will discover, science is driven by curiosity and healthy skepticism!
After exploring this material, you will be able to​:
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Define and apply scientific terminology used in research design
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Evaluate research questions in terms of their clarity, specificity, and feasibility
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Develop your own research questions and testable hypotheses
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Interpret results and draw conclusions from your own research
IDENTIFYING AND EXTRACTING INFORMATION FROM SOURCES
In this lesson, we explore different types of sources of information. and how to identify each. We review common applications of each type of source in the context of a term paper, essay, or lab report. We also provide tips for assessing the quality of a given source and for efficiently extracting information from sources.
After reviewing this material, you will be able to:​
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Identify primary, secondary, and tertiary sources and know when each is most appropriate
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Compare competing sources of information​
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Quickly and effectively extract information, such as theme, research methodology, and important conclusions, from a given source
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
In this session, we focus on the all too common mistake that many students make when submitting their first writing assignments in college and university: plagiarism. We define plagiarism,
explore why it is problematic, and share expert tips for avoiding plagiarism in your own work. We teach strategies for effectively paraphrasing to communicate complicated ideas in your own words.
We also explain how to assign credit to sources of information. We explore basic rules for citing and referencing sources and teach you how to prepare an annotated bibliography to keep your sources organized.
After reviewing this material, you will be able to:​
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Compare and contrast summarizing and paraphrasing
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Differentiate between information that is considered "common knowledge" and information that you must cite and reference​
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Prepare descriptive and evaluative annotations for references​
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Use a standard referencing guide (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) to cite and reference different types of sources
​*Note: This session is particularly useful for students engaged in a research-related assignment such as a term paper or lab report. We love working with students to improve their work (and take some work off of busy teachers' plates!)