Praxis Core · Writing (5723) Selected Response
Praxis Core: Research Skills Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the basics of doing research well. You will judge whether a source is credible and relevant, tell primary sources from secondary sources, and recognize the parts of a citation.
A credible source has a qualified author, is current enough for the topic, and shows where its information comes from. A relevant source actually addresses the research question. Both matter, because a trustworthy source on the wrong topic still does not help.
Primary sources are firsthand records, while secondary sources explain or interpret them. Citations let readers find a source again, so you should know the usual parts: author, title, publisher or journal, date, and pages.
Key concepts
Credible source
A trustworthy source with a qualified author or organization, up-to-date information for the topic, cited evidence, and no obvious bias or selling motive.
Memory tipWho wrote it, when, and how do they know?
Relevant source
A source that directly addresses the specific research question. A credible source can still be useless if it covers a different topic, time, or group.
Memory tipTrustworthy is not enough; it must be on target.
Primary vs. secondary source
A primary source is a firsthand record, such as a diary, an original study, a speech, or a photograph. A secondary source explains or analyzes primary sources, such as a textbook or review article.
Memory tipPrimary = was there. Secondary = writes about it later.
Parts of a citation
A citation usually lists the author, the title of the work, the publisher or journal name, the publication date, and page numbers or a web address.
Memory tipThink "who, what, where, when" of the source.
Plagiarism
Using someone else's words or ideas without giving credit. Quotes and paraphrases both need a citation.
Memory tipBorrowed idea = cite it, even in your own words.
Often tested
- A credible source has a qualified author, is current enough, and shows its evidence.
- A primary source is a firsthand record; a secondary source explains or interprets it.
- Know the parts of a citation: author, title, publisher or journal, date, and pages.
- A paraphrase still needs a citation.
- Choose the source that answers the exact research question, not just a related one.
Easy to confuse: Primary vs. secondary sources
| Type | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Firsthand record of an event or study | Diary, original research study, speech, photo |
| Secondary | Explains or interprets primary sources | Textbook, encyclopedia, review article |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. A student is writing a report on the daily life of soldiers during the American Civil War. Which of the following is a primary source?
- ① A chapter in a modern history textbook
- ② A letter a soldier wrote to his family in 1863
- ③ An online encyclopedia article about the war
- ④ A biography of a general written by a historian
- ⑤ A documentary film made in 2010
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Answer: ② A letter a soldier wrote to his family in 1863
Key point: A primary source is a firsthand record made at the time of the event.
A primary source is created by someone who was there, at the time. A letter written by a soldier during the war is a firsthand record. The others explain or interpret the war later, so they are secondary sources.
Wrong choices
- "A chapter in a modern history textbook": A modern textbook summarizes events long afterward.
- "An online encyclopedia article about the war": An encyclopedia article is a secondary summary.
- "A biography of a general written by a historian": A biography by a historian interprets other sources.
- "A documentary film made in 2010": A documentary made in 2010 is created long after the war.
Question 2. Which source would most likely give the most credible information about how well a new reading program works?
- ① A study published in a peer-reviewed education journal
- ② An advertisement from the company that sells the program
- ③ A comment posted on an anonymous online forum
- ④ A celebrity's social media post praising the program
- ⑤ A blog post by a parent who has not used the program
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Answer: ① A study published in a peer-reviewed education journal
Key point: Credible sources have qualified authors, evidence, and expert review.
A peer-reviewed study is checked by other experts before it is published, and it shows its methods and data. That makes it the most credible choice.
Wrong choices
- "An advertisement from the company that sells the program": The company has a reason to praise its own product.
- "A comment posted on an anonymous online forum": An anonymous comment has no known author or evidence.
- "A celebrity's social media post praising the program": A celebrity is not an expert on reading programs.
- "A blog post by a parent who has not used the program": The writer has no direct experience or evidence.
Question 3. In this book citation, what does "Harbor Press" identify? Lopez, Maria. Teaching Writing in Middle School. Harbor Press, 2019.
- ① The author
- ② The title
- ③ The publisher
- ④ The publication date
- ⑤ The page numbers
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Answer: ③ The publisher
Key point: A book citation lists author, title, publisher, and date.
In a book citation, the name after the title is usually the publisher, the company that produced the book. Here the publisher is Harbor Press.
Wrong choices
- "The author": The author is Maria Lopez, listed first.
- "The title": The title is "Teaching Writing in Middle School."
- "The publication date": The publication date is 2019.
- "The page numbers": This citation gives no page numbers.