The Big6
A research method for Dickinson Public Schools
Credit to http://big6.com
The Big6
#1 Task Definition
•What’s the Task
•What types of information do I need?
The Big6
#2 Information Seeking Strategies
•What are possible sources?
•Which are best?
The Big6
#3 Location and Access
•Where is each source?
•Where is the information in each
source?
The Big6
#4 Use of Information
•What information in each source is useful?
•How will I record the information?
•How will I give credit?
The Big6
#5 Synthesis
•How can I organize all the information?
•How can I present the results?
•How will I give credit?
The Big6
#6 Evaluation
•Is the task completed?
•How can I do things better?
Now lets see how we can apply
these steps to a research project!
Let’s say that the assignment is:
• Select an endangered animal to research.
• Conduct your research so that you have
enough facts to write a paper and do a
presentation for your class.
• Use different types of resources and use
both primary and secondary sources.
• Cite your sources on a Works Cited or
Bibliography page.
• Your presentation will help your class
decide which endangered species the
class should “adopt”.
Do you have a clear idea of all you
need to do to complete this project?
Let’s take some steps to
“Define the Task”!
Let’s move on to the next step . . .
Uh, what’s the next step???
presented in Art Wolinsky’s
book, Internet Power
Research Using the Big6
Approach . . .
This graphic taken from one
Blue Whale Sources
CD ROMS
Web Sites
Movies and
TV Shows
Internet
Discussion
Groups
Fishermen
Environmental
Protection
Agency
Sea World
Magazines
Email Experts
Library
Books
Newspapers
School
Ecology Club
Email
Friends
After we evaluate and select the
sources we want to use . . .
We need to go to Step 3 “Location & Access”
Where might we locate
some of the information
sources we talked about?
Our next step is “Use of Information”
Taking Notes
“Synthesis” is the next step
The final step is one that you should do
throughout the research process
But . . . especially at the end of the process
For things that you
did well—give
yourself a pat on the
back!
And for things that you
would like to do
differently either make
a revision to your
research project or–
make a mental note for
next time!
Things I can do better
next time:
1.Note original ideas on
note card
2. Etc..
Credits
• Slides #1-#7
Ideas and graphics taken from material presented on Big6.com
• Slide #8
Research Image
http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:qaxmAfkNNrQBFM:http://www.farnboroughsfc2.ac.uk/files/Imag
e/actionresearch.jpg
•
Slide #10
Idea Image
http://img.pymesyautonomos.com/2008/03/idea.jpg
•
Slide #15
Girl in Library
http://www.law.uwo.ca/images/law_student.jpg
Girl on Computer
http://www.hookedonlaw.com/images/law_student_library.jpg
Boy on Phone
http://images.wireware.net/valleycommunityclinicorg/c_img/teen%20phone%202.jpg
Sea World
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/florida/images/s/florida-sea-world-orlando.jpg
EPA
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/epa1.gif
Credits (con’t)
Fishing boats
http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/pubs/wildlife_news/images/1641.jpg
Whale Video
http://www.oneloveonespirit.com/video/whale_watch_1_pic.jpg
Namu
http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/31/245831.jpg
Whale Rider
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Whale_Rider_movie_poster.jpg
Dolphin and Whales
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/01/28/dolphins-whales-tribes.jpg
Orca
http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/large_images/269/40247269.jpg
•
Slide #17
Color Coded Note Cards
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uSVqm79K0GQ/RrncJu4Ik7I/AAAAAAAAAhk/eLNdT-7gXXI/100_2564.JPG
Source Card
http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:YE_NZd5ZC055PM:http://www.pinoytechguy.
Lined Note Card
http://kitsilano.vsb.bc.ca/library/images/card1.jpg
Credits (con’t)
Slide #19
Girl Typing
http://west.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/library/plaid/research%20guide%20website/Student%20typing
%20(2).jpg
Boy Presenting
http://uwarboretum.org/images/eps/Merrill_Springs.jpg
•Slide #21
Pat on the Back
http://www.juvenile.state.az.us/images/Community/man_pat_on_the_back_boy_lg_nwm.gif
Reminder Note
http://www.ptsc.k12.in.us/Portals/0/plakes/teacherfiles/reminder.93ba4a0b-92fa-473d-bef14cff492e352f.gif
(Press now Esc to Exit)
http://www.yourresources.co.uk/Research.jp
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