The Big6 Information Problem-Solving Skills

The Big6 1.Task Definition What is the task? What types of information do I need? 2.Information Seeking Strategies What are possible sources? Which are the best? 3.Location and Access Where is each source? Where is the information in each source? 4.Use of Information How can I best use each source? What information in each source is useful? 5.Synthesis How can I organize all the information? How can I present the result? 6.Evaluation Is the task completed? How can I do things better?

The Big6 1.Task Definition What is the task? What types of information do I need? 2.Information Seeking Strategies What are possible sources? Which are the best? 3.Location and Access Where is each source? Where is the information in each source? 4.Use of Information How can I best use each source? What information in each source is useful? 5.Synthesis How can I organize all the information? How can I present the result? 6.Evaluation Is the task completed? How can I do things better?

Task Definition What is the task? –I need a pair of socks to wear today. What types of information do I need? –I need to know what sock colors will go with the clothes I’m wearing; what the temperature will be so I can pick a light pair if it’s going to be hot and a heavy pair if it’s going to be cold; and I need to know which socks are clean and ready to wear.

Information Seeking Strategies What are possible sources? –I can match sock colors myself or ask Mom or Dad if my color choice will match my outfit. I can watch the TV weather report or step outdoors to check today’s temperature. I can ask Mom for clean socks, look in my dresser drawer myself, or check for socks under my bed. Which are the best? –I prefer my own color choice to my parents’ color choice. I don’t have time to wait for the weather report on TV so I’ll step out on the patio to check the outdoor temperature. I don’t want to antagonize Mom by asking her stupid questions, so I’ll look in my drawer, and sniff under my bed to see if any socks down there are still clean.

Location and Access Where is each source? –My eyes are open, the light is on, and the clothes I have on are great. I know where to find the patio, and my dresser is in my room under that stack of stuff. Where is the information in each source? –I can see the colors, feel the temperature, and open the sock drawer.

Use of Information How can I best use each source? –My clothes are a beautiful puce color. It feels cold outside and looks cloudy so it will be cold all day. In my drawer I have these clean socks available: a pink pair, a purple pair, two orange pairs and 3 single white socks. Nothing under the bed smells clean. What information in each source is useful? –The orange socks and the purple socks are heavy cotton so they will be perfect for today’s weather. The purple socks are a shade off of puce so they clash, while orange makes a great fashion statement! The other colors just don’t work with puce.

Synthesis How can I organize all the information? –I’ll put on the clean, warm, orange socks. How can I present the result? –I’ll walk through the kitchen to hear Mom and Dad’s reaction to my sock choice.

Evaluation Is the task completed? –Mom didn’t panic, Dad did, but my toes are toasty -- so the socks have the proper effect! How can I do things better? –I probably didn’t need to check the weather on the patio because I know it’s always cold this time of year.