Research Exam Practice & Review Packet

Which of the following would best be classified as a secondary source?

• A diary from a civil rights activist

• A historian’s article analyzing political speeches

• A government-issued birth certificate

• An audio-recorded interview with a scientist

Which of the following would count as a primary source?

• A personal letter written during wartime

• A textbook chapter on World War II

• A modern blog post summarizing election results

• An article explaining the history of voting rights

Which research question is too broad to be manageable for a short paper?

• What effect does climate change have on world history?

• How does rising sea level affect coastal cities in Florida?

• What role do microplastics play in marine food chains?

• How do extreme heat events impact elderly populations in urban areas?

Which of the following would make the most effective research question?

• How does daily reading affect vocabulary growth in middle school students?

• How do people improve their lives?

• What is the connection between media and society?

• How do environmental factors shape human life?

If you are researching the history of hip-hop culture since 2000, which of the following would be most useful as a secondary source?

• A scholarly article analyzing the growth of rap music

• A musician’s personal Instagram account

• A promotional flyer for a rap concert

• A podcast featuring a live performance

Which search method tells a database to look for an exact phrase?

• "climate change" policy

• climate AND change AND policy

• climate OR change OR policy

• climate NOT policy

What social factors influence young adults’ attitudes toward mental health treatment? What kind of research would work best?

• Interviews or focus groups capturing personal stories

• Statistical analysis of national health data

• Surveys showing only numbers and charts

Which statement best distinguishes qualitative from quantitative research?

• Qualitative collects stories and experiences; quantitative collects measurable data.

• Qualitative answers “how many”; quantitative answers “why.”

• Qualitative equals statistics; quantitative equals case studies.

• Qualitative and quantitative mean the same thing.

What is the best use of YouTube as a research source?

• To view credible educational videos that explain complex topics visually

• To gather facts from the comments section

• To collect firsthand news reports without verification

• To make a paper look more interesting with images

If a student believes social media hurts mental health, which action would be an example of confirmation bias?

• Only reading studies that show social media is harmful

• Considering both supportive and opposing studies

• Quoting a study that challenges the student’s belief

• Looking at evidence from different perspectives