TM
A Research Process
by Mike Eisenberg and
Robert Berkowitz
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The Big 6
(in short)
TM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
S/T
Define the Task
Use Information Seeking Strategies
Locate and Access Information
Extract the Information
Synthesis – Organise and Present
Evaluation
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S/T
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
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S/T
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
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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
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ND
2
– Information
Seeking Strategies
S/T
2.1 Determine the
range of possible
sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Evaluate the
different possible
sources to
determine priorities
(select the best
sources)
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Information Seeking
Strategies
S/T
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
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3RD – Location and
Access
S/T
3.1 Locate Sources
3.2 Find information
within sources
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S/T
Location and Access
Questions to ask
How do I retrieve the information
I’ve decided is important?
FINDING AND USING
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Location and Access
T
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
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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
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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
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S/T
Use of Information
Questions to Ask
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
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Use of Information
S/T
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.
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TH
5
- Synthesis
5.1 Organize
information from
multiple sources
5.2 Present the
information
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Synthesis
S/T
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
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Synthesis
S/T
Information Skills
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
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6TH - Evaluation
6.1 Judge the
product
(effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the
research process
(efficiency)
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S/T
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
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More Information
The Big 6TM Home Page - http://www.big6.com/
Assignment Organizer for Grades 7-12
http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/Assignment%20organizer.htm
Research Projects at Kindred Public School
http://www.kindred.k12.nd.us/CyLib/ht.prj.html
Computer Skills for Information Problem-Solving: A Curriculum Based on
the Big Six Skills Approach
http://ericit.org/digests/EDO-IR-1996-04.shtml
Applying Big6 Skills™, Information Literacy Standards and ISTE NETS to
Internet Research
http://www.surfline.ne.jp/janetm/big6info.htm
Power Point created by Nicole Slinger and Alison Winfield
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