An analogy to help explain the Information Search Process Di Laycock/Lee FitzGerald

Stages of the Information Search Process Stages of Information Search Process Initiation Task introduced Selection You choose your area of interest Exploration You seek a broad understanding of the topic. Formulation You develop your line of enquiry Collection You collect in depth information and take notes Presentation You synthesise your information and plan your report/essay/ presentation/ Assessment Teacher/peer/ self. Feelings (Affective) Uncertainty Optimism Confusion Frustration Doubt THE DIP! Clarity Sense of direction / Confidence Satisfaction or Disappointment Sense of accomplishment Thoughts (Cognitive) Vague ConfusedFocusedIncreased interest Increased self- awareness Actions (Physical) Seekingrelevant Exploring informationSeekingpertinent Documenting information © Information Search Process is copyrighted by Dr. C. Kuhlthau.

The research river Starting a research task, you are at the beginning of a journey. This is a journey that you’ll repeat many times in your life at school and work. It’s not a simple journey, and may be likened to the progress a river makes from its source to the sea.

The research river: Initiation Research can be likened to a river’s progress. At its source, the river’s flow is weak and undirected. In the Initiation stage of an assignment you may feel lost and uncertain as to the path you might take.

The research river: Selection This is a peaceful and happy part of the research river. You browse some shallows and get surface information on a few topics to help you choose the one you like. Use preliminary searching: Broad, not deep - encyclopedias

The research river: Exploration As water is added to the river, it carves a channel for itself and soon forms a series of rapids. You’ve chosen your area of interest, but as you seek information, you find there’s quite a lot of it! Use Exploratory searching. Wide, not deep! Online databases, e.g. History Study Centre topic overviews etc. You are trying establish the scope of the topic.

The research river: Exploration You may even plunge headfirst over a waterfall - unsure of what lies below it – THE DIP! At this stage of the research process it is completely normal to fall into the dip – to feel overloaded, and confused! It is definitely here where you should seek teacher/librarian help! Contained, directed searching is necessary to come out of the Dreaded Dip!

The research river: Formulation It is only after you’ve researched widely, navigated the flood of information that you feel strong and confident. In the process, some of the water is left behind, as you work through the process of formulating your enquiry question. After this sifting process, you are streaming ahead to the sea. You feel confident and focused now.

The research river: Collection The flow of the river has been controlled. You are now in charge of the information You are sorting it, controlling it, shaping it to answer your question. Use Comprehensive Searching: Pertinent not just relevant – Questia/ Online databases. Use and adjust notetaking grids. Keep quotes for your essay. Keep bibliographic details.

The research river: Presentation Finally, as you approach your destination, you may be faced with choices (What exactly is the shape of my essay? How can I shape all my information into an argument?) Which way will your research river flow to the sea? Do I really have to do a bibliography? Footnotes? In-text citation?

The Research river: Assessment You’ve conquered the raging Information River! You have reached the calm sea, peaceful and happy with yourself. Or maybe there’s a little hole back in that old dam you might need to fix next time… Thanks for the River analogy, Di Laycock, Barker College!