Free Printable Research Planner for Students

About these research planner handouts

Research is easier to teach when students can see its parts. This planner puts them on one page in the order they happen: a question, words to search with, a record of sources, facts gathered in the student's own words and an outline for the writing that comes next.

The question box comes first because every later box depends on it. A question that can be answered in a sentence leads to a list of facts, and a question that asks how or why leads to an argument. The search words box gives students a place to brainstorm terms and synonyms before they open a browser, which saves time later when the first search brings back nothing useful.

The source table holds five sources, with space for title and author, type, why the student trusts it and the page or link. The why I trust it column asks students to think about authors, dates and evidence while they are still looking at the source. Recording the source at the moment of use is also the easiest way to make a bibliography later, because nobody has to hunt for it.

The facts box is labeled in my own words to nudge students away from copying. The outline at the bottom divides the page into introduction, main points and conclusion, so the student has the skeleton of the paper or presentation before writing begins.

How to use them

1. Print one planner per student and fill in the class and teacher boxes first if you want them on every page.
2. Have students write a research question and show you before they begin searching.
3. Students brainstorm search words, then record each source in the table as they use it.
4. Facts and ideas go in the facts box in the student's own words.
5. Students turn their facts into an outline using the three boxes at the bottom.

Classroom tips

• Teach the why I trust it column with two sample sources, one strong and one weak, and have students rate them aloud.
• Ask students to write the source number next to each fact so they can find where it came from later.
• Hold a two-minute check on the question before research begins. Narrowing a topic at the start prevents a week of unfocused reading.
• For younger students, use fewer sources and let them draw a picture in the facts box.

Last reviewed 2026-10-03. Handout Hero designs are original and made for this site. They are general reference material; check your own school, district or tradition where it matters.