3 Research and Supporting Materials Free Online FlashCards

What does a focused research question help a speaker do?

A focused question narrows a broad topic to something the speech can answer and guides which evidence and sources to seek.

How should a speaker choose a source for a claim?

Match the source to the claim and evidence needed. For example, a government dataset may establish a population trend, while interviews can reveal individual experiences.

What is a primary source?

A primary source provides firsthand evidence, such as an original document, observation, or interview.

What is a secondary source?

A secondary source interprets or summarizes evidence gathered by others.

How can you evaluate a source’s authority?

Check who wrote or published a source and whether they have expertise relevant to the subject.

How should currency factor into source evaluation?

Ask whether the source is recent enough for the topic. Current research may matter in changing fields, while older sources can suit stable historical topics.

Does professional appearance prove that a source is reliable?

A source’s format or professional appearance alone does not establish its reliability.

Why should a speaker cross-check important facts?

Check important facts—especially quotations, statistics, and claims repeated online—against original or independent sources.

How should research notes distinguish source wording from your own thinking?

Keep a source’s exact words distinct from your own summaries and reactions so borrowed wording is not mistaken for your own.

What information belongs in a spoken citation?

In a spoken presentation, give useful details—often the author or organization, the publication or study, and its date. Provide fuller references in a slide, handout, or shared document.

What makes a direct quotation responsible to use?

Identify the author or speaker and source, quote accurately, and mark the borrowed wording in your notes so you do not mistake it for your own.

Does paraphrased information still need attribution?

Paraphrasing still requires attribution because the underlying idea or information belongs to the source.