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Government Research Skills

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Government Research Skills

Government Research Skills

Government research illustration

📚 Part 1: Identifying Credible Sources

1. Which of these sources would be MOST credible for researching New Zealand government? Circle ONE answer:

A random blog post about politics

The official New Zealand Parliament website (parliament.nz)

A social media post from a friend

An anonymous Wikipedia article

2. Check ALL the criteria that make a source credible for government research:

The author is clearly identified and qualified

The information is recent and up-to-date

The source has lots of colourful pictures

The website ends in .govt.nz or .ac.nz

The information can be verified from other sources

The source is popular on social media

3. Match each source type with its level of credibility for government research:
1. Official government website
2. Peer-reviewed academic article
3. Personal blog
4. Reputable news organisation
A. Usually credible with fact-checking
B. Highly credible, primary source
C. Least credible, personal opinion
D. Very credible, expert reviewed

📝 Part 2: Note-Taking Skills

4. Read this passage about New Zealand's government structure and take effective notes using the Cornell Notes method:

"New Zealand operates under a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature. The New Zealand Parliament consists of the House of Representatives, which currently has 120 members elected for three-year terms. The Prime Minister is the head of government and leads the political party or coalition with the most support in Parliament. New Zealand also has a Governor-General who represents the British monarch as the ceremonial head of state."

5. What are THREE key strategies for effective note-taking during research?

🔍 Part 3: Source Evaluation Practice

6. You find a website about New Zealand's voting system. Fill in the blanks with questions you should ask to evaluate its credibility:

Who is the _____________ of this information?

When was this information last _____________?

What is the _____________ of this website or organisation?

Can I _____________ this information from other credible sources?

Does the author show any obvious _____________ or prejudice?

7. Circle the BEST approach when you find conflicting information from different sources:

Always trust the first source you found

Use the source with the most pictures

Check additional credible sources to verify facts

Ignore both sources and guess

⏰ Part 4: Research Planning and Time Management

8. You have 30 minutes to research "How laws are made in New Zealand Parliament." Create a time management plan:

Minutes 1-5:

Minutes 6-20:

Minutes 21-25:

Minutes 26-30:

9. List THREE New Zealand government websites that would be credible sources for your research:
10. Reflection: Why is it important to use credible sources when researching government topics? Write your answer below:
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