Research
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When you have an assignment or need to do research, use the
Big 6™ Information Problem Solving model.Follow these six steps as you go about finding information.
1. Task Definition
- Restate the assignment in your own words.
- For help in deciding on a research topic, see the Idea Generator
- When is the assignment due?
- What is the final product that you must turn in?
- What information do you already have and what do you need to know?
- Use the Task Definition Organizer to plan your work for this assignment.
2. Information Seeking Strategies
- Brainstorm and identify sources available for your assignment.
- Which sources are the best for your assignment?
- Examples of useful information resources are listed below. Visit the Database Page
Libraries
Databases
Information Portals
eBook K-8 collection Britannica School Middle Search Plus DK Find Out! Gale in Context
3. Location & Access- Find the sources and get your hands on the information.
- What are your key words?
- Where is the information located within each source?
4. Use of Information
- Engage in your source to gather information. Read, view, listen and take notes.
- What information is available in each source?
- What information answers your question and is helpful for your assignment?
- Remember to cite your sources!
5. Synthesis
- Organize information from all sources to share your results.
- Create a product (written report, PowerPoint, poster, video, podcast, etc.) in your own words.
- Consider using some cool new presentation tools!
- Remember to do your own work and to respect copyright guidelines.
- How can you best present and communicate your information?
6. Evaluation
- Judge your final product and the process that you used to complete your assignment.
- Did you complete the entire assignment on time?
Did you meet the criteria outlined by your teacher and use the number and type of resources required? - Did you correctly cite all of the sources used for you research?
- Did you paraphrase all of the information in your assignment?
- Is the final product your best work?
- What might you do differently for your next research assignment?