Unit Checkpoint
Unit Review
This checkpoint covers all key concepts from the Research Projects unit:
- Developing effective research questions
- Creating works cited and bibliographies
- Evaluating and analyzing sources
- Integrating research into your writing
Comprehensive Quiz
Test your mastery of research skills. Click to reveal each answer.
Question 1: What makes a research question "researchable"?
Answer: A researchable question is specific enough to be manageable, has available sources, cannot be answered with yes/no, and explores a debatable or complex topic.
Explanation: Questions like "What is climate change?" are too factual, while "Is climate change real?" is yes/no. A researchable version: "How are coastal cities adapting to rising sea levels?"
Question 2: In MLA format, how do you cite a source with no author listed?
Answer: Use the title (or shortened title) in place of the author's name, in quotation marks for articles or italics for books.
Explanation: Example: ("Climate Change Effects" 12) or (Global Warming Report 45). Alphabetize by title in the works cited.
Question 3: What is the difference between a bibliography and a works cited page?
Answer: A works cited includes only sources directly referenced in your paper; a bibliography may include all sources consulted, even if not cited.
Explanation: MLA uses "Works Cited," APA uses "References," and Chicago may use either a bibliography or footnotes/endnotes.
Question 4: How can you tell if a website is a reliable academic source?
Answer: Check for: identifiable author with credentials, cited sources, .edu or .gov domains (often reliable), publication date, peer review or editorial oversight, and objective presentation.
Explanation: Apply the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to evaluate any source.
Question 5: What is plagiarism and how do you avoid it?
Answer: Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own. Avoid it by citing all sources, using quotation marks for exact words, and paraphrasing properly.
Explanation: Even paraphrased ideas need citations. When in doubt, cite. Keep careful notes to track which ideas came from sources.
Question 6: How do you narrow a topic that is too broad?
Answer: Add specificity by limiting time period, geographic location, population, or aspect of the issue. Focus on causes, effects, solutions, or comparisons.
Explanation: "Pollution" becomes "How microplastics in the Pacific Ocean affect marine food chains" - specific place, specific type, specific impact.
Question 7: What is the purpose of an outline in research writing?
Answer: An outline organizes main points and supporting evidence before drafting, ensuring logical flow and complete coverage of the topic.
Explanation: Outlines help identify gaps in research, prevent repetition, and make the drafting process more efficient.
Question 8: How do you integrate a statistic into your research paper?
Answer: Introduce the statistic with context, present the data, cite the source, and explain its significance to your argument.
Explanation: Example: "According to the EPA, carbon emissions increased 15% between 2010 and 2020 (Smith 34), demonstrating the urgency of policy reform."
Question 9: What should you do if two sources contradict each other?
Answer: Evaluate both sources' credibility, acknowledge the disagreement in your paper, explain possible reasons for the difference, and position your argument accordingly.
Explanation: Contradictions can strengthen your paper by showing complexity. Use them to demonstrate critical thinking.
Question 10: What is the revision process for a research paper?
Answer: Revision involves: checking thesis clarity, ensuring logical organization, verifying all claims have support, reviewing source integration, editing for style/grammar, and verifying citation accuracy.
Explanation: Leave time between drafting and revision. Read aloud, get peer feedback, and check that your paper answers the research question.
Next Steps
- Review any topics where you scored below 80%
- Practice with real research projects
- Continue to the next ELA unit when ready