Research TCAP Review

Reliable and Appropriate Research Sources

Is it RELIABLE?What is a reliable person or a reliable car?

You should triple check to see if the sources you use when researching a topic are ones you can count on to be accurate and true.

Can you count on your sources of information to stand up to debate or scrutiny?

Author: Mrs. Monroe

Is the Source Reliable? Is It on Topic?RELIABLE?

Eyewitness accounts?

Newspapers accounts?

Supermarket tabloid accounts?

Internet sources?

Advertisements?

Brochures?

Atlases/Road Maps?

Online encyclopedias?

ON TOPIC?

To be a valid option, your source must be on topic.

The TCAP people will try to trick you by having an option that is off topic!

Is the source(person) credible?Ask yourself if the person writing about the topic a credible source.

Questions to ask:What is his or her credential?Is he or she an expert?

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!! Beware of the super fan! If the source is a personal blog or a webpage devoted to a topic written by an enthusiast, you may want to think twice about picking that answer.

Examples of Super Fandom: Which source would provide the most reliable information about Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Memphis home? A. A website written by an Elvis Presley fanB. A blog written by a person who has visited Graceland

300 times

How are Reliable Source Item Tested? TCAPs will give you a topic and ask you to determine which is the most reliable source among the four choices.

Example Question: Which source would provide the most reliable information about Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Memphis home?

Reliable Source QuestionWhich source would provide the most reliable information about where sculptors display their work?

A. an online article discussing a sculpture

B. an advertisement for upcoming art exhibitions

C. a newspaper feature about the techniques used by sculptors

D. an eyewitness account of the judging process for a sculpting competition

Appropriate Sources (How is it tested?)The TCAP test will ask you to select a source that best relates to the topic you are researching or task you need to complete.

Example Questions:

You are traveling to Folly Beach for your summer vacation, and you want to find the location of restaurants that are near your hotel. Which source would best supply this information?

Appropriate Source QuestionYou are traveling to Nashville for a conference. You want to find the location of Opry Mills, a shopping mall located in Nashville. Which source would best supply this information?

A. A flyer advertising a new store opening at Opry Mills

B. A website about fun facts about Nashville

C. A road map of Nashville that include the location of attractions and restaurants

D. A brochure about Nashville historical sites

Focused Research Topics

How will this SPI be tested?The TCAP test will ask you to determine which research topic is the most focused.

Example:Before Mary wrote her report, she thought of a list of topics to research. Choose the topic that is most focused.

Watch your S’s and your Prepositions!

Sometimes too many S’s indicate a response that is too broad.

This is not a hard fast rule, but just something to check when you are in doubt!

Examples:

Pilots from South American Countries (S’s)

Effects of technology in schools (S’s)

Shops around One World Trade (Preposition)

Offices next to One World Trade (Preposition)

Synagogues near One World Trade (Preposition)

Never!!!!! Never select the answer that gives you a time span. These responses are almost always too broad and not the most focused.

Examples:

Through the years

Throughout the ages

The history of…

The evolution of…

ClarificationYou are choosing which topic among the four is the most focused. They one that you pick might not necessarily totally focused.

Example:

Which research topic is the most focused?

A. construction achievements near the Mediterranean Basin through the ages

B. journals belonging to famous explorers of the Mediterranean Basin

C. challenges of construction around the Mediterranean Basin

D. architectural records of ancient structures near the Mediterranean Basin

Practice QuestionYou want to learn more about the first cameras. For an Internet search, which phrase would provide the most focused search?

A. Changes in camera technologyB. History of filmC. Early camerasD. Techniques for taking electronic images

Irrelevant Research Material

Irrelevant Sources/Information Irrelevant sources are sources that do not pertain (have nothing to do with) what you are researching.

Irrelevant sources can be reliable (Be careful!)

Donna’s teacher assigned her to research the life of Kate Middleton, Great Britain’s The Duchess of Cambridge. Donna made the following notes after reading a source about Kate Middleton.

1. She lived in Amman, Jordan until she was six years old.

2. She met Prince William at St. Andrews University.

3. Her grandmother-in-law Queen Elizabeth has ruled for 63 years.

4. She currently lives in both Norfolk and London, England.

Which fact is not relevant to Donna’s report?

A. Fact 1

B. Fact 2

C. Fact 3

D. Fact 4

Practice Time!

Simon’s biology teacher assigned a two-page report on animals and their habitats. Which topic is the most focused and would work best for Simon’s two-page report?

A.California wildlifeB.Native U.S. animalsC.Alaskan grizzly bearD.Animals at the zoo

Leah wants to know the rules for recycling plastic bottles in the northeastern United States. Which source would have the best information?A.a U.S. government Web site on recycling plastic bottles in the

United StatesB.an encyclopedia article about plastic bottlesC.a social studies textbook chapter on recycling plastic in the

NortheastD.a magazine advertisement for recycling plastics

Sarah made the following notes about Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite experiment. 

1. Franklin conducted the experiment during a thunderstorm.

2. Franklin’s son William aided him in his experiment

3. Franklin’s kite experiment lead to the use of lightning rods on tall buildings.

4. Franklin also invented the glass harmonica, bifocals, and a stove.

 Which fact is not relevant to Sarah’s report?

Which research topic is the most focused?

A.construction achievements near Tiber River through the ages

B.architectural records of modern structures near the Thames River

C. journals belonging to Spanish explorersD.challenges of construction around the Nile

River

After listening to a speech, a student wants to research the claims about the use of electronic devices. Choose the most focused research topic.A why students use cell phone applicationsB how cell phone use affects concentrationC the impact of computer use in schoolsD the effect of computers on everyday life

Which of these is the most focused research topic?

A rules of soccerB head injuries in girls soccerC sports funding through donationsD character development in team sports

Which of these would provide the most reliable information about the active bacterial cultures in a carton of purchased yogurt?

F an Internet article about yogurtG an advertisement for the productH a recipe for homemade yogurtJ a nutrition label on the product

Which of these would be the best source for additional information on symptoms of lactose intolerance?

A a magazine articleB a journal entryC a newspaper articleD a health textbook

Allen was assigned to research Cleopatra, the Last Queen of Egypt, for a social studies project. Allen made the following notes from a book about Cleopatra.

1. Cleopatra was forced off the throne by her brother and co-ruler Ptolemy

2. During Cleopatra’s rein, Rome was considered Egypt’s protector.

3. Cleopatra formed alliances with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.

4. Cleopatra took her own life after Octavian and his Roman forces defeated her at the battle of Actium.

Which fact is not relevant to Allen’s report?

A writer is researching the history of the first airports in America. Which source would provide the best information?

A. a journal entry from a pilotB. a book about airportsC. a airport’s web siteD. a newspaper article about a airports

Which resource would provide the most reliable information about the music of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt?

A. an Internet article written by a music teacher about Liszt’s interest in folk music

B. a newspaper article about a forthcoming concert of Liszt’s music

C. an Internet web page constructed by a person who listens to Liszt’s songs

D. a letter to the editor written by a conductor who performs Liszt’s music

Choose the most reliable resource for a reader researching how people train to climb Mount Everest.

A. a newspaper article titled “Mount Everest: Hidden Gem of the Himalayas”

B. an eyewitness account from a person who climbed Mount Everest

C. an interview with a person writing a book about mountain climbing

D. an Internet site titled How to Climb a Mountain in Ten—or a Thousand—Steps

Choose the most focused research topic.

A effect of soil erosion in the tropical rain forestB diet of the toucan bird in the Costa Rican rain forestC mammals and reptiles in the tropical rain forestsD plants and vegetation native to Hawaiian rain forests

Ben is researching volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean. Choose the best source to support his research.

A. an Internet blog featuring photographs of volcanoes

B. a magazine article featuring uses for volcanic rock

C. a series of essays from a writer living near a volcano

D. an online encyclopedia entry about how volcanoes are formed

Choose the most reliable resource for a reader researching the popularity of all-female jazz bands in the 1900s.

A.A book titles Jazz through the Decades: Why Jazz Is as Popular as Ever.

B.A newspaper article showing how female jazz singers influenced modern singers

C.An Internet site for people who want to buy jazz recordings of the 1900s

D.A magazine article titled “Early Women of Jazz and Their Loyal Fans”

Choose the most focused research topic.

A.The invention of the hearing aidB.The parts of the human earC.Why people have difficulties hearingD.How hearing aids have developed over the years

Shelby is researching how bees make honey. Choose the best source to support her research.

A.A book about flying insectsB.An encyclopedia article by a honeybee expertC.A magazine article with recipes that use honeyD.An Internet article written by a man was stung

by bees

Amanda is researching llama farms. Choose the best source to support her research.

A. A magazine article by an llama farmerB.An Internet blog with pictures llamasC.An online encyclopedia entry about farm

equipmentD.An essay from a writer who lives near a llama

farm

Choose the most focused research topic.

A.Why are some people left-handed?B.Who are the most famous left-handed athletes?C.How different cultures treat left-handed people?D.What kind of products are made for left-handed

people?

Which of these would provide the most reliable information about efforts at habitat preservations?

A.The internet site of an environmental organization

B.A newspaper ad for products made of rare woodC.The Web page of a president of a mining

companyD.A TV ad for a new suburban housing

development

Which of these would be the best source for information on a Civil War battle fought in Tennessee?

A.A book about the history of TennesseeB.The Web site of a company that sells Civil War

itemsC.A fictional film that has scenes of the battle

being fought D.An Internet page with pictures of the battlefield

as it looks today.

A student wants to learn more about German foods like schnitzel and potato pancakes. Which is the most focused research topic?

A. changes in German diningB. restaurants in GermanyC. traditional meals in GermanyD. cooking styles in Germany

Don is doing a report on Thomas Edison’s camera. He made the following notes about the invention of the camera.

1. It had continuous tape-like film.

2. It could project motion pictures.

3. He received 1,093 U.S. patents throughout his career as an inventor.

4. He worked on a camera with William Dickson from 1888–1893.

Which fact is not relevant to Don’s report?

A student is traveling to the East Coast and wants to know where the region’s lighthouses are located. Which source would best supply this information?

A. a road map of East Coast highwaysB. a website about lighthouse factsC. a flier advertising a local lighthouse tourD. a brochure about East Coast historical sites

Kate is doing research on Great Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She wants to find out the dates she governed Great Britain. What would be a good source for her to use.

A. An atlas showing where Great Britain is located.

B. An Internet search about Great Britain’s monarchs.

C. An almanac that lists the leaders of Great Britain and the time frame in which they ruled.

D. An encyclopedia entry about Great Britain.

Jacob is writing a two-page paper on the 2008 Olympics for his social studies class. Which of the topics below is the best option for his main topic? 

A. Usain Bolt wins 3 gold medals while setting 3 world records

B. Some gymnasts have a family tradition of winning championships

C. The swimming careers and of all the U.S. A. Olympic competitors

D. The steroid use of some athletes in the Olympic games

Phyllis has to write a five-minute speech about a historical topic to deliver to her sixth-grade classmates. Which of the following topics is the best because it is specific and appropriate for her audience?

A.The Fall of the Berlin WallB.The Renaissance MovementC.The History of EuropeD.Conflict in the Middle Ages