ELAR Inquiry and Research Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which step in the research process should come BEFORE writing a thesis statement?
- Drafting the conclusion
- Conducting preliminary research on the topic (Correct answer)
- Creating the Works Cited page
- Editing for grammar errors
Correct answer: Conducting preliminary research on the topic
Preliminary research helps a writer understand the topic well enough to form an informed, arguable thesis.
Question 2: A student finds two credible sources that disagree about a historical date. The BEST approach is to:
- Use the date that appears in the older source
- Note the discrepancy and consult additional authoritative sources (Correct answer)
- Omit any mention of the date from the paper
- Use both dates and let the reader decide
Correct answer: Note the discrepancy and consult additional authoritative sources
Consulting additional authoritative sources helps resolve factual discrepancies and strengthens the accuracy of research.
Question 3: What does the 'R' stand for in the CRAAP test used to evaluate sources?
- Reliability
- Relevance (Correct answer)
- Readability
- References
Correct answer: Relevance
In the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose), 'R' stands for Relevance, meaning how well the source relates to your topic.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a CLOSED research question?
- How has social media affected teenage mental health?
- Did the number of U.S. households with internet access increase between 2010 and 2020? (Correct answer)
- What factors contribute to income inequality?
- Why do students struggle with standardized testing?
Correct answer: Did the number of U.S. households with internet access increase between 2010 and 2020?
A closed research question has a definite, verifiable answer (yes or no), while open questions require analysis and interpretation.
Question 5: In a research paper, signal phrases are used to:
- Indicate the beginning of a new paragraph
- Introduce quotations or paraphrases by identifying the source (Correct answer)
- Mark transitions between major sections
- Highlight key vocabulary terms
Correct answer: Introduce quotations or paraphrases by identifying the source
Signal phrases introduce borrowed material by naming the author or source, helping integrate evidence smoothly into the text.
Question 6: Which type of bias occurs when a researcher only seeks out sources that confirm their existing beliefs?
- Publication bias
- Confirmation bias (Correct answer)
- Sampling bias
- Recency bias
Correct answer: Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias leads researchers to favor sources that support what they already believe, undermining objectivity.
Question 7: A student is writing about the dangers of texting while driving and uses only sources published by auto insurance companies. This raises a concern about which evaluation criterion?
- Currency
- Relevance
- Purpose/bias (Correct answer)
- Accuracy
Correct answer: Purpose/bias
Sources published by companies with a financial stake in the topic may have a purpose-driven bias, making objectivity questionable.
ELAR Inquiry and Research Skills 5
Which step in the research process should come BEFORE writing a thesis statement?