Question

Create a Research Plan
Research Plan QUESTIONS
the topic is mini bikes

Identify the whos/whens of the topic that you already know. Is there any terminology that you need to know?
What do you need to know? Make a list of at least five questions that you want/need to answer. Underneath, write keywords/search terms that you can use and the type of source that would be best to answer the question.
List 10 results (website address and a brief explanation of how you think you might use that source) that you found from the search you conducted using the search terms/keywords you listed above.
Evaluate five of those sources, using the questions from the unit. At the end of each, answer whether you think it’s credible or not credible.
Did you find what you were looking for? Did you answer the questions you listed above? If not, how can you/will you change your search terms?
short and no points and at a 6th grade level

Answer 1

Research Plan — Topic: Mini Bikes
(short, simple, 6th grade level)

1) What I already know (whos/whens) and words to learn
- Who: Kids and adults ride mini bikes. Companies like Coleman make them. Safety groups and state DMVs make rules.
- When: Mini bikes have been around for decades. People still ride them today.
- Words to learn: minibike, pit bike, engine, frame, throttle, off-road, helmet, registration.

2) Five questions I want to answer + keywords and best source type
- Question 1: What is a mini bike?
- Keywords: "what is a mini bike", "minibike definition"
- Best source: general info site or encyclopedia (Wikipedia)
- Question 2: How do mini bikes work (parts and engine)?
- Keywords: "mini bike parts", "how mini bike engine works"
- Best source: how-to site or manufacturer pages
- Question 3: Are mini bikes safe? What safety gear is needed?
- Keywords: "mini bike safety", "mini bike helmet laws"
- Best source: safety organizations, government pages (CPSC, Safe Kids)
- Question 4: Do I need to register a mini bike or follow road laws?
- Keywords: "mini bike laws", "minibike registration [your state]"
- Best source: state DMV or government law pages
- Question 5: How do I fix or build a simple mini bike?
- Keywords: "build a mini bike", "mini bike repair tutorial"
- Best source: DIY tutorials (Instructables, YouTube)

3) Ten search results I found and how I might use them
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minibike — general background and history. Good first overview.
- https://www.colemanpowersports.com/ — maker site. Good for model specs and parts.
- https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Build-a-Minibike/ — step-by-step build ideas and parts lists.
- https://www.cpsc.gov/ — U.S. Consumer Product Safety pages/recalls. Use for safety warnings and recalls.
- https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicles — links to state vehicle rules. Use to find registration info.
- https://www.safekids.org/ — safety gear and helmet advice for kids.
- https://www.youtube.com/ — search videos like "mini bike basics" for demos and repairs.
- https://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ — info on motorcycle laws and safety (may cover small bikes).
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/ — national road and vehicle safety info. Use for crash and safety data.
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/ — example state DMV page. Use to check if mini bikes need plates or are off-road only (check your state DMV).

4) Evaluate five of the sources (simple checks)
- Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minibike)
- Who wrote it? Many volunteers; page shows sources.
- When? Page is updated often; check last edit.
- Purpose? To explain and summarize facts.
- Accuracy? Good for an overview, but check original sources.
- Credible? Yes, somewhat credible for basic facts. (Use references to confirm.)

- Coleman Powersports (colemanpowersports.com)
- Who wrote it? The company that sells mini bikes.
- When? Product pages updated with models.
- Purpose? To sell mini bikes.
- Accuracy? Good for specs and parts, but may not tell limits or risks.
- Credible? Credible for specs; use other sources for safety info.

- Instructables (instructables.com/How-to-Build-a-Minibike/)
- Who wrote it? A user who built one.
- When? Date shown on the page.
- Purpose? To teach a DIY project.
- Accuracy? Useful for steps, but may miss safety or legal tips.
- Credible? Use with caution. Good for ideas, not official rules.

- CPSC (cpsc.gov)
- Who wrote it? U.S. government safety agency.
- When? Updated with recalls and warnings.
- Purpose? To protect consumers.
- Accuracy? High. Gives safety recalls and official advice.
- Credible? Yes — very credible for safety info.

- YouTube (youtube.com) — example demo video
- Who wrote it? Depends on the channel (anyone can post).
- When? Each video shows upload date.
- Purpose? Varies: teaching, showing, selling.
- Accuracy? Mixed. Some good tutorials, some wrong info.
- Credible? Not always. Check the creator and comments before trusting.

5) Did I find what I needed? How I will change searches if not
- I found basic answers about what mini bikes are, parts, and how to build them.
- I found safety information, but I need exact rules for my state.
- Next steps: search with my state name, for example "minibike laws California" or "mini bike registration Texas".
- If I need more technical help, search "mini bike carburetor how it works" or "mini bike repair guide PDF".

If you want, I can:
- Make a short list of safety rules for kids who ride mini bikes.
- Look up the rules for your state. Tell me which state.