Research Skills and
Web Evaluation
Robbinsville H.S. Media Center
To Kill A Mockingbird –2013-2014
Miss Plummer - Mr. Shearer
Resources

RHS Media Center Website – may be accessed
from the High School website under services.
http://www.robbinsville.k12.nj.us/domain/133
Media Center Website
On Media Center Homepage Scroll down to
English-To Kill a Mockingbird Resources
Resources - RHS Media Center
online catalog

RHS Media Center online catalog may be
accessed from the RHS media center website
under Media Center online catalog, or directly
from :
http://rhs.ind.opalsinfo.net/bin/home
Media Center online Catalog
Databases - Facts on File
Information, diagrams, charts, maps,
experiments, and time lines related to science,
history, geography, curriculum, guidance,
health issues, and a world atlas. May be
accessed from the Media Center website or
remotely from home.
Databases - Facts on File
Remote access http://www.fofweb.com/Subscription/ User
name Washington3 - Password township
In facts on file database click on
Bloom's Literary Reference Online,
type “To Kill A Mockingbird” in search box, hit
enter.
MLA - Citation

Gonzalez, Chris. "justice in To Kill a
Mockingbird." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File,
Inc. Web. 16 Oct. 2013
<http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemI
D=WE54&WID=18041&SID=5&iPin=ETL0728&
SingleRecord=True>.
EBSCOHOST - Remote access
http://search.epnet.com
User ID ns009145
Password - password
EBSCOHOST Web – Select Databases
Web Evaluation
Evaluating Information - A Guide to Websites.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/7262568/EVALUA
TING-INFORMATION-A-GUIDE-TO-WEBSITES
Web Evaluation
Pharming: Is Your Trusted
Web Site a Clever Fake?
Web Evaluation
Bogus Web Sites
Evaluating Web Sites: Criteria and
Tools – Cornell University Library
Evaluating Web Sites: Criteria and
Tools – Cornell University Library
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/resear
ch/webeval.html
A process approach to
information, technology
and research.
The Big 6



The Big 6 was developed by Mike
Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz.
It is the most widely-known and widely-used
approach to teaching information and
technology skills in the world.
The Big6 integrates information search and
use skills along with technology tools in a
systematic process to find, use, apply, and
evaluate information to specific needs and
tasks.
1. Task Definition


Define the information problem.
Identify the information needed in
order to complete the task.
– What am I supposed to do?
– What information do I need in order to
do this?
1. Task Definition
(Example)



First, I have to determine my
task.
My assignment is to do a
research paper on To Kill A
Mockingbird Topic’s.
I choose to do a thesis
statement and paper about To
Kill A Mockingbird Topic’s.
1. Task Definition
(Example)


Second, I must determine what kind of
information I need to complete my
task.
What are some potential questions I
might ask about To Kill A Mockingbird
Topic’s..
– Who was Harper Lee ?
– Where did she live?
– What did she do?
– Did she have any unique
characteristics?
2. Information Seeking
Strategies


Determine the range of possible
sources (brainstorm)
Evaluate the different possible
sources to determine priorities
(select the best sources)
– What are the possible sources?
– Which are the best?
2. Information Seeking
Strategies (Example)

Where can I find
information about To
Kill a Mockingbird?
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Textbook
Internet
Electronic Databases
Books
Teacher
Librarian
Magazines/Periodicals
2. Information Seeking
Strategies (Example)



Which of these sources are my
best options to find information on
To Kill A Mockingbird?
Use books, electronic databases
and some Internet sites for
historical topics.
Use magazines, periodicals, and
some Internet sites for current
events.
3. Location and Access


Locate sources
(intellectually and
physically)
Find information within
sources
– Where is each source?
– Where is the information in
each source?
3. Location and Access
(Example)

Where can I find
the sources I have
identified?
–
–
–
–
School Library
Public Library
Personal Library
Classroom
Resources
– Computers/Internet
3. Location and Access
(Example)

If I use the Internet,
a database or
library catalog, what
are the best
keywords for me to
use?
– To Kill A
Mockingbird
– Harper Lee
4. Use of Information


Engage (read, hear, view,
touch) the information in a
source
Extract relevant
information from a source
– How can I best use each
source?
– What information is each
source is useful?
4. Use of Information
(Example)

Now that I have found my
information, what am I going
to do with it?
– Take notes on note cards
– Take notes on notebook paper
– Take notes using a word
processor
– Take notes using a graphic
organizer
– Use a tape recorder, video or
digital camera
5. Synthesis


Organize information
from multiple sources
Present the
information
– How can I organize all
the information?
– How can I present the
result?
5. Synthesis (Example)

Once I have all my information,
how will I present my final
results? (Remember the task
definition in Big6 #1)
– Written Paper
– Oral Presentation with Visual
Aids (Posters, Models,
Costumes, etc.)
– Multimedia Presentation
(PowerPoint)
– Performance
6. Evaluation


Judge the product
(effectiveness)
Judge the information
problem-solving process
(efficiency)
– Is the task completed?
– How can I do things
better?
6. Evaluation (Example)

Prior to submitting my
final project, I need to
evaluate it myself to
make sure I have met
all the requirements.
– Does my final project
match the task I defined
in Big6 #1?
– Does the information I
found in Big6 #4 match
the information I said I
needed in Big6 #1?
– Did I cite my sources?
– Is my work neat?
– Is my work complete?
– Am I proud of my work?
Thank you
It’s always best to start
with your Teacher, or
Librarian if you have any
questions; or don’t know
where to begin.