It is possible to make research writing exciting, but also daunting. You've chosen a subject of interest to you, which might be in biology, psychology, or computer science. Now comes the difficult part: getting reliable information to support your arguments.
With all this content on the Web, it's difficult to know what is fact and what is opinion. For high school students, particularly those seeking admission to STEM high school programs or in preparation for teen summer research programs, knowing how to locate credible sources is a skill worth learning.
Here is a step-by-step guide that will guide you through it in a simple manner.
Why Finding Reliable Sources Matters in High School Research
Suppose you are doing a paper on how climate change impacts agriculture. If you write your paper based on some arbitrary blog, your argument can disintegrate or even propagate false information. But if your information is based on scientific journals or university publications, your argument is credible.
Teachers (and college advisors) want to see that you can think, not merely Google it. Good sources indicate that you've done your research, literally.
Whether you're seeking a free psychology course for high school students or researching Ivy League mentorship programs, developing this habit early rewards you.
Step 1: Start with a Clear Research Question
Before you even open a tab, figure out what you're looking for.
Bad: “I want to write about mental health.”
Better: “How does social media affect anxiety levels?”
A focused question makes it easier to spot which sources are useful and which sources are just useless. It also keeps you on track during the research.
Step 2: Use Academic Databases
Google can be useful, but it is not the best place to find peer-reviewed research. Try these instead:
Google Scholar: A free, easy-to-use academic search engine.
JSTOR: Access to scholarly articles, especially in the humanities.
PubMed: A must-use for biology and psychology topics.
Directory of Open Access Journals: Great for finding free, peer-reviewed journals.
Many of these databases are free, or at least partially accessible to, high school students. If you're part of a summer program for teens, check if they offer free database access.
Step 3: Check the Author’s Credentials
Who wrote the article? Are they a university professor? A PhD student? A journalist? Or just someone with strong opinions?
Look for:
University or institutional affiliation
Experience or degree in the subject area
Past publications in credible outlets
If you’re researching AI or neuroscience, for example, you want authors who work or teach in those fields, not random bloggers.
Step 4: Look at the Publisher
Where was the piece published?
Examples of Reliable Sources:
Academic journals
University press publications
Government websites (.gov)
Reputable organizations (.org)
Examples of Unreliable Sources (for citation):
Wikipedia
Personal blogs
YouTube videos (unless published by an academic institution)
That doesn’t mean you can’t use a blog post or a video to get ideas, but don’t use them as your main sources. Think of them as background or brainstorming tools.
Step 5: Pay Attention to Citations and References
Good sources usually cite other good sources. If the article you’re reading has:
A long list of references
Mentions of studies and surveys
Links to other research
... that’s a great sign. It gives your work more credibility and helps people believe that the results are found by experiment and not just pulled out of thin air.
You can also use online resources such as Google Scholar as it has information about how many times a paper has been cited so you can include higher cited papers.
Step 6: Use Your School or Public Library
You don’t need to go and buy books or papers, these days they are available in libraries and also you can check online for them.
Some schools are able to get EBSCOhost or Gale, which are excellent choices for student researchers. Don't overlook how much assistance librarians can provide, they're taught to assist you in locating what you're seeking.
Step 7: Cross-Check Key Facts
If one article reports that AI will do all of our jobs in 2030, and another claims it won't make much of a difference, don't simply choose the one that best supports your view. Investigate further.
Seek patterns in several sources. The best facts occur in more than one location, particularly across articles written by experts or peer-reviewed.
This is especially important if you’re doing research for a STEM for high school students project. Scientific integrity depends on consistency and repeatability.
Step 8: Use Wikipedia as a Launchpad, Not a Source
Yes, Wikipedia is useful, but not for your bibliography.
Here’s how to use it smartly:
Use the summary to understand the basic idea
Scroll down and explore the References section
Follow those links to real, citable sources
In other words, Wikipedia can help you start, but never let it be your final stop.
Step 9: Organize Your Sources as You Go
Don’t wait until the night before the deadline to scramble for citations.
Use tools like:
Zotero or Mendeley to manage citations
A Google Doc to keep track of useful links and notes
Google Sheets to create a source table (author, title, link, key ideas)
If you’re applying for Ivy League mentorship for high school students, being organized like this shows professionalism and maturity.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
Read More
