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

2. The Big 6 (in short) 1. Define the TaskTM
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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 3RD – Location and Access
S/T
3RD – Location and Access
3.1 Locate Sources
3.2 Find information within sources

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 5TH - Synthesis 5.1 Organize information from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information

16. “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

17. 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

18. 6TH - Evaluation 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the research process (efficiency)

19. 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

20. More Information
The Big 6TM Home Page -
Assignment Organizer for Grades 7-12
Research Projects at Kindred Public School
Computer Skills for Information Problem-Solving: A Curriculum Based on the Big Six Skills Approach
Applying Big6 Skills™, Information Literacy Standards and ISTE NETS to Internet Research
Power Point created by Nicole Slinger and Alison Winfield