A Research Process by Mike Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz TM THE BIG 6 Created by N. Slinger Wellington Point SHS A Research Process by Mike Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz

The Big 6 (in short) 1. Define the Task TM S/T 1. Define the Task 2. Use Information Seeking Strategies 3. Locate and Access Information 4. Extract the Information 5. Synthesis – Organise and Present 6. Evaluation

1ST – Define Task 1.1 Define the problem 1.2 Identify information needed in order to complete the task (to solve the information problem) See Common curriculum elements

Define Task Questions to Ask What is it exactly that I need to know? What do I know already? What do I need to find out? What am I expected to do with it when I’ve found out? DECIDING

Define Task Information Skills S/T Define Task Information Skills Planning what you need to do in the light of: what you know already what you’re expected to produce / end result

2ND – Information Seeking Strategies 2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm) 2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources) Encyclopaedias Journals Non-Fiction Books Magazines Internet CD ROM's

Information Seeking Strategies Questions to Ask Where could I go to find out? Person source? Print source? (books, journals, magazines) Non-print source? (A.V.) Electronic source? LOCATING

3RD – Location and Access S/T 3RD – Location and Access 3.1 Locate Sources 3.2 Find information within sources

Location and Access Questions to ask Questions to ask How do I retrieve the information I’ve decided is important? FINDING AND USING

Information Competencies Location and Access Information Competencies Ability to use the catalogue, (manual and online) as an aid in retrieving stored information Ability to use techniques like skimming, scanning, keywords and pictorial cues to identify and process specific information fast and selectively

Manual Research • Use the library catalogue (Alice inquiry) to identify useful parts of the collection. • Check a dictionary (423) if terms need clarification • Encyclopaedias (030), subject encyclopaedias at the appropriate number, are great for an overview of a topic. • As Reference books are being interfiled with the collection, remember to check both Reference and Non-fiction shelves • Ask for help, see your teacher or teacher librarian

4TH - Use of Information 4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) the information in a source 4.2 Extract relevant information from a source

Use of Information Questions to Ask What do I need to make a note of? What do these resources tell me about what I need to know? What do I need to make a note of? Have I got suitable ways of making notes? USING

Use of Information Information Skills S/T Use of Information Information Skills Applying a range of critical and analytical information skills to extract information related to the information purpose (reading, listening, viewing, questioning, predicting, hypothesizing, analysing, comparing) Note making from person, print, AV and electronic sources using charting, notation, technology.

5TH - Synthesis 5.1 Organize information from multiple sources 5.2 Present the information

“What is it that I need to know” S/T Synthesis Questions to Ask Have I got suitable ways of organizing what I record? How am I going to pull all this information together and present it as an answer to my original question – “What is it that I need to know” PRESENTING

Synthesis Information Skills S/T Organizing the recorded information. Presenting work in a variety of formats: Print - e.g. essays, reports, articles Graphic - e.g. drawings, diagrams, charts, pictures Oral - e.g. Lectures, workshops, discussions, debates, talks A.V. - e.g. Taped interviews, video, photos, OHT’s, databases

6TH - Evaluation 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness) 6.2 Judge the research process (efficiency)

Evaluation Questions to Ask Am I satisfied with the end result? Am I satisfied with the way I got there? Do I need more skills to make it easier next time? Am I improving my ability to research effectively? EVALUATING

More Information The Big 6TM Home Page - http://www.big6.com/ Assignment Organizer for Grades 7-12 http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/Assignment%20organizer.htm Research Projects at Kindred Public School http://www.kindred.k12.nd.us/CyLib/ht.prj.html Computer Skills for Information Problem-Solving: A Curriculum Based on the Big Six Skills Approach http://ericit.org/digests/EDO-IR-1996-04.shtml Applying Big6 Skills™, Information Literacy Standards and ISTE NETS to Internet Research http://www.surfline.ne.jp/janetm/big6info.htm Power Point created by Nicole Slinger and Alison Winfield