BIG SIX RESEARCH SKILLS A Systematic Problem-solving Process

He is educated who knows how to find out what he doesn’t know. George Semmel, German philosopher

they can use the process known as THE BIG SIX Whenever students are faced with an information problem, or with making a decision that is based on information, they can use the process known as THE BIG SIX

An information problem involves answering a question based on information gathered from various sources

THE BIG SIX SKILLS: Can be applied to any information problem situation. Doesn’t require all students to do things exactly the same way. Are easily adaptable to all subject areas. Develop critical thinking skills.

Components of the Big Six Skills: Big Six #1: Task Definition Define the problem Identify the information needed to do the task Big Six #2: Information Seeking Strategies Brainstorm all possible sources Select the best sources Big Six #1: Task Definition Students demonstrate the ability to: restate the task in their own words. define the requirements of the assignment. ask relevant questions to solve the problem. brainstorm related ideas. understand oral directions. determine a timeline and the order of tasks. determine an appropriate task given the information problem. Big Six #2: Information Seeking Strategy identify the Library Media Center as a source of information. consider the need for sources outside the library collection. consider investigation, observation and personal interviews as sources of information. determine the value of various journals and magazines.

Components of the Big Six Skills: Big Six #3: Location and Access Locate sources Find information within sources Big Six #4: Use of Information Read, listen, view, browse, skim and scan to find facts Take notes on relevant facts Big Six #3: Location and Access Students demonstrate the ability to: use keywords to search the school’s electronic catalog. find materials independently. access the appropriate information system (e.g. online databases, Web sites, electronic multimedia, CD-ROMs). use cross references. Big Six #4: Use of Information read, listen, view, browse, skim, and scan for keywords. select the main idea and supporting details. take notes. properly cite. read and understand graphs and visuals.

Components of the Big Six Skills Big Six #5: Synthesis Organize information from all sources Create product Big Six #6: Evaluation Judge the product or performance Judge the process for efficiency Big Six #5: Location and Access Students demonstrate the ability to: organize information from various sources. make an outline. produce a rough draft. produce a personally designed, appropriate media to communicate content. (video, slide show, poster, etc.) prepare a bibliography. Big Six #6: Evaluation assess the completeness of their work. review and critique the steps they took to solve the problem. determine the effectiveness of their note-taking skills. compare their product and process against a set of predetermined standards.

Check for Understanding Use your Big Six handout to determine which of the Big Six Skills is being applied when the following activities are being performed: 1. Choose between an encyclopedia and a magazine for information on a recent election. 2. Interview a long-time community resident on the history of the area. 3. Compare final product to requirements before submitting it to the teacher. 4. Create a video or DVD of holiday celebrations in different cultures.

Check for Understanding 5. Write questions that need to be answered to solve a problem. 6. Type appropriate notes from an on-line encyclopedia. 7. Create a graphic chart that compares the desert regions in the United States with deserts in other parts of the world. 8. Decide to use an on-line website. 9. Determine the effectiveness of note-taking skills. 10. Answer questions using a textbook. 11. Paint a mural of famous poets. 12. Select a topic for a science project.

Check Yourself: 1. Information seeking strategies 2. Use of information 3. Evaluation 4. Synthesis 5. Information seeking strategies 6. Use of information 7. Synthesis 8. Information seeking strategies 9. Evaluation 10.Use of information 11.Synthesis 12.Task definition

Practice using the Big Six to solve the following informational problem: Mr. Williams lost his job when his company down-sized. He must find another job making approximately the same amount of pay as he did in his other job.

Big Six #1: Task Definition Do I understand what is needed to answer the informational question? Research the job skills Mr. Williams possesses. Research the job market and match the job with the needs of Mr. Williams. Locate a job for Mr. Williams

Big Six #2: Information Seeking Strategies What are possible sources to be used? Books, Internet resources, state employment commissions, newspapers, employment agencies, personal interviews What additional sources can be introduced? How reliable and current are the sources?

Big Six #3: Location & Access Where will I locate sources? Libraries, correspondence, Internet, books What skills and instruction will I need to locate materials? Knowledge of on-line databases, library skills, Internet and keyword search skills Where will I find information within sources? Table of contents, indexes, Internet searching, keyword searching, and locating related words

Big Six #4: Use of information What will be the best way to use the source? Read, view, listen to, touch What method will I use to take the information from the source? Note-taking, record, etc.

Big Six #5: Synthesis How will I organize the information from all the sources? Outline, written rough draft, sketch, map How will I display or present my results? Report, presentation, bulletin board, or other product How will I give credit to my sources?

Big Six #6: Evaluation Did I solve the information problem effectively? Check using a predetermined set of standards by which to judge the product Answer the following questions about your product: What did I learn? Did others understand the information? Did I answer all questions? What could I do next time to make my product or performance better?

The End