50+ Sample Research Worksheet

What Is a Research Worksheet?

A research worksheet is an activity sheet that students and professionals alike can use to organize and summarize their research. Research worksheets typically contain guide questions and other curated content for the purpose of promoting learning and comprehension.   

According to an article published by Medium, worksheets can be very effective as a learning tool for kids, especially younger ones. Various studies and research encourage parents to consider the benefits of worksheets that are designed specifically for kids. One of the major benefits is an effective methodology that the use of worksheets seek to promote. It facilitates learning and reinforces experiential education.  

General Research Tips For Students and Teachers

Research is a basic and fundamental skill that all students learn in school. And the skill is not only useful for school children, but research and development is key in the professional world too. Whether you are a student, teacher, public servant or corporate worker, these simple research tips can help optimize your pursuit of learning and knowledge.

Find something you are interested in. Research will matter so much more if you are deeply invested in the subject. Of course, there will always be topics that students or teachers are merely assigned to that may not always seem interesting to the researcher. However, if you are given the freedom and space to select a research topic, you can make the most of it by choosing a subject that truly interests you and matters to you. You will find that the research process will become much more meaningful and connected to you. Whether it is a qualitative study on a particular culture you are curious about or a survey on diversity in the workplace, you will inevitably find more delight and fulfillment in the topics you care about. Don’t gloss over the introduction and conclusion. When writing a research paper or proposal, it can be easy to get lost in the data or get overwhelmed by the information. And even though the body of your paper is relatively the most important component of your research, it does not mean that the other sections don’t matter. Your main arguments and ideas make up most of the body of the research. However, the introduction and closing statements of your research can add coherence and impact to the overall argument. More than just providing support to the main body, these two crucial sections help promote structure and progression in your research proposal. In many cases, the thesis statement is even contained in the introductory part of the research. Therefore, you need to give the same amount of scrutiny and intention when it comes to both your introduction and conclusion. Use a variety of sources. The purpose of research is to gather enough data that will enable you to craft the most comprehensive argument. If you only gather information from one source, it may not be as complete or extensive as you want it to be. Fortunately, it has become easier and more convenient to access all kinds of material in today’s Information Age. Resources are literally available at the click of a mouse. As a researcher, whether student or professional, you need to take advantage of this and broaden your methodology. Invest the time and effort to gather data from different sources. Try to avoid sticking to just one type of resource. For example, you may be comfortable just using online sources as your primary resource. However, you can also explore other means of gathering data (e.g., surveys, interviews) and other available material as well (e.g., books, journals). The key is practicing discernment in your research methodology. As much as possible, sources should not just be varied but more importantly, sound and credible as well. Don’t neglect traditional sources. The internet has changed the face of research as far as accessibility and convenience are concerned. Anyone can obtain information without even stepping out of the room or house. For the younger generation, not a lot of them have had experience with traditional methods of research. The internet is an invaluable resource, but it is important to remember that there are other sources besides it. When tasked to gather data on a particular subject, try to resist automatically going on Google. Why not head to your school library or just the nearest library in your vicinity? Or why not seek out key informants and interview experts on the subject? Quoting from several credible websites is fine, but exploring other types of material such as print resources, could prove to be a worthwhile change.

Tips For Designing Research Worksheets

If you are tasked to create a research worksheet, there can be many ways to design it. The format and content, of course, will depend on the subject and needs of your audience. But there are innovative ways to turn an otherwise ordinary worksheet into something creative and engaging. Keep in mind the following tips below the next time you need to create a worksheet.  

Mix it up. The format of a research worksheet is of primary importance. If you are a preschool or elementary school teacher, you want to keep your students engaged as much as possible. When it comes to the worksheet’s format, try mixing it up. Instead of just using one type, you can incorporate several ways of presenting the activity sheet. Why not add a multiple choice section in addition to a question and answer format? This not only breaks the monotony of a single-format worksheet, but the variety may help keep students engaged and focused on the activity. Fortunately, worksheets can be very versatile. And depending on the topic and content of the worksheet, you can choose to employ creativity and variety in the design of the worksheet. Make it visually appealing. In addition to introducing variety into your research worksheet, you can take it a notch further by making it visually attractive. Younger school children can appreciate a colorful and picture-filled worksheet. The visual aids can attract and hopefully sustain their attention as they answer the worksheet. Whether you are a teacher of 4th grade students, kindergarteners, or even junior high school students, it is a good idea to incorporate pictures related to your research worksheet topic. Do not be afraid to use loud and bold colors as well as these add life to an otherwise dull and ordinary sheet of paper. Lastly, make sure the worksheet’s font and text size are also legible and appropriate enough for students. Go online. With the advent of distance learning and online classes, teachers had to adapt and evolve when it came to their methods and teaching style. Academic material had to be suited to remote learning as well. In other words, everything had to be digitized and be made available online. Research worksheets and other related activity sheets were no exception. In a ‘new normal’ environment, teachers and professors need to be given the appropriate tools to respond to the shift in learning style. Thankfully, society is currently living in the Digital Age. There’s a host of available online tools that instructors and teachers can take advantage of. Instead of physical worksheets, students and professionals can simply access Google Forms or Google Sheets. They can even create their own forms for free. The democratization of information has made it easier to design, access, and share research worksheets.

How to Create a Research Worksheet

To create a research worksheet, you need to adequately assess the data and resources available to you. If you are looking for predesigned templates, you can easily download a free sample from the collection above. Once you have selected the appropriate template, simply follow the steps below.  

Step 1: Screen the Content 

In order to begin crafting a research worksheet, you first need to ensure that the topic and its content are grade-level appropriate. The worksheet is essentially an activity sheet where the student or participant will have to engage in. As the facilitator or instructor, you have to make sure that the instructions, questions and other content are comprehensible and suitable to their level. For instance, a 5th grade student should be presented with an age-appropriate worksheet, not a sheet that is too basic or too advanced for their grade level. Ideally, a high school student ought to receive a research worksheet that is suitable but challenging enough to make him think critically. Giving an adolescent a middle school level worksheet may be too simple or easy for him or her.       

Step 2: Design the Format

When designing your research worksheet, it needs to match the needs and comprehension level of your audience. If your worksheet is geared towards preschool children, using a format that is too complex or indirect could prove to be difficult for them. It is crucial not only to use age-appropriate content and instructions, but the right format as well. You can utilize more pictures, bolder texts and colors for younger children. For higher level education, employing more diverse instruction (e.g., essay, multiple choice) can help college and high school students exercise their cognitive abilities and stretch their mental capacities.     

Step 3: Ask the Questions

A research worksheet is supposed to serve as a guide for students or even professionals. So coming up with the appropriate guide questions is critical. Once you have decided on a format, you can proceed to drafting the questions. As much as possible, you want to maintain a logical flow even when you are arranging the questions. Make sure that your student can comprehend the instructions and the language is clear enough. The number of questions will depend on you. Some research worksheets are simple one-page forms; while others can reach several pages long.   

Step 4: Seek Consultation

Once you have come up with a complete set of questions, the next step is to seek proper consultation and approval. The review stage is a critical phase. And depending on the process and procedures of the school, teachers are often subject to assessment- especially when it comes to their lesson plans and classroom instruction. For most professors and instructors, a thorough and sound evaluation of the research worksheet is required. The process can either be a standard peer-review or a simple consultation meeting with an immediate head. It is not only worksheets that need to be reviewed and approved, any academic resource material such as a syllabus, handout or an exam are typically subject to the same scrutiny.       

FAQs

What is a research worksheet?

A research worksheet is an activity sheet that provides guided instructions or questions to help a student or even a non-student comprehend better a given topic.

How do you do research in middle school?

For young students who are either in middle school or junior high school, research can be a daunting task. It helps to have a plan or outline of how you want to approach your research topic. The tips mentioned above might also be useful. Lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help from teachers or fellow classmates too if you need it.

How do you teach a high school research paper?

For teachers, it may be helpful to offer your students a research worksheet containing guide questions to help them understand a research paper or topic better. It takes preparation but the handout can help students comprehend the main ideas post-discussion.

There is no doubt research worksheets can help individuals learn better and comprehend faster. If you are looking to create your own worksheet but don’t have the time to do so, use any of the editable templates above to get the job done in no time! Choose a template that works for you and get started today!