The Maine Learning Results proposes specific objectives for research-related writing and speaking. We have excerpted the section relevant to high school students and their teachers. The English Language Arts section presents additional objectives about reading and writing. Visit the Maine Learning Results Document for information about objectives of other subject areas.

H. RESEARCH-RELATED WRITING AND SPEAKING

Students will work, write, and speak effectively in connection with research in all content areas. Research involves generating ideas and posing questions. It includes gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing data from a variety of sources (e.g., print, nonprint, and electronic texts, examination of artifacts, interviews with people). Researching and reporting use a variety of informational and technological resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

SECONDARY GRADES

1. Develop an appropriate strategy for finding information on a particular topic.
2. Use referencing while doing research.
3. Record significant information from events attended and interviews conducted.
4. Identify and use library information services.
5. Use government publications, in-depth field studies, and almanacs for research.
6. Use CD-ROM, microfiche, and similar resource media for research.
7. Identify and use a variety of news sources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, broadcast
and recorded media, artifacts), informants, and other likely sources for research purposes.
8. Use search engines and other Internet resources to do research.
9. Make extensive use of primary sources when researching a topic and carefully evaluate the motives and perspectives of the authors.
10. Analyze the validity and weigh the reliability of primary information sources and make appropriate use of such information for research purposes.
11. Evaluate information for accuracy, currency, and possible bias.
12. Report orally, using a variety of technological resources to present the results of a research project.