PACT PACT Research Skills

Question 1

Which of the following best defines a primary source?

Accepted Answer

An original, firsthand account or direct evidence such as a diary or original study

Answer

Primary sources are original, uninterpreted materials — such as diaries, raw data, speeches, or original research — created at the time of an event.

Question 2

When evaluating a website as a research source, which factor is most important for assessing credibility?

Accepted Answer

The author's credentials and the site's affiliation

Answer

Author credentials and organizational affiliation indicate whether the content was produced by a qualified, accountable source.

Question 3

A researcher wants to find peer-reviewed academic articles. Which resource is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A university library database such as JSTOR or EBSCO

Answer

Academic library databases index peer-reviewed journals, ensuring content has been evaluated by experts before publication.

Question 4

What does it mean for a source to be 'peer-reviewed'?

Accepted Answer

Experts in the same field evaluated the work before publication

Answer

Peer review is a quality-control process in which subject-matter experts assess a manuscript's accuracy and rigor before it is published.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?

Accepted Answer

Copying a paragraph from a source without attribution

Answer

Using another person's words or ideas without proper credit, regardless of intent, constitutes plagiarism.

PACT - Pre Admission Content Test Practice Test