A PPLYING I NFORMATION S EEKING
M ODELS TO S TUDENT R ESEARCH
W
F
R
M

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST I NFORMATION
B EHAVIOR M ODELS
 Wilson’s 1996 Model: Problem-
Solution model
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Information user is the focus of information needs
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Founded on in depth research
Involves other disciplines into model
 i.e. decision making, psychology, consumer research
Illustrated through a set of activities that are cyclical

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST I NFORMATION
B EHAVIOR M ODELS

Dervin’s Sense-Making Theory
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Helps to understand an existence that is both disorganized and organized
Factors of Theory/Model: situation in time/space, gap, outcome, bridge

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST I NFORMATION
B EHAVIOR M ODELS
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Elis’s Model
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Illustrates 8 cyclical steps for information seeking
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Based on extensive research and testing

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST I NFORMATION
T RANSFER M ODELS
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Similarities Amongst the Models
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Define a problem and solution with stages in between that are user focused
Information seeking models that are based on reflection and feedback
Cyclical processes that retract/move forward based on needs of the user
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Differences Between the Models
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Each use different terminology to discuss the varying number of stages present
Wilson & Elis’ models are more complex & based on research in contrast to Dervin’s model
Wilson & Elis’ models have withstood time & multiple transformations

W HY WE CHOSE TO FOCUS ON S ENSE -
M AKING

Simplistic in nature
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User friendly
Good fit for students between the ages of 12 & 15

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST R ESEARCH M ODELS
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Big 6
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6 stage problem solving strategy for research
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About Big 6
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Breaking down the assignment
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1998 Dialogue Model
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8 stage model that uses Dialogue as an acronym for each stage of the model
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About Dialogue Model

C OMPARE /C ONTRAST R ESEARCH M ODELS

Similarities
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Similar methods for conducting research
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 i.e. identifying a problem and use several steps to take user to solution
Acquire resources, review information by relevance/importance, organize information for presentation, self reflection
Easy to use templates to guide users through research process
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Differences
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Big 6 has 6 steps vs. Dialogue has 8 steps
Steps are titled & defined differently

Dialogue incorporates cooperative & collaborative learning strategies, Big 6 does not

Info Transfer Model Steps in Workflow Research Model Work Product
Topic (Situation / Gap) Title
Look for Question (Sense Making / Bridge /
Outcome)
Note taking & Organizing/Outlining/Etc.
Ask Question( Situation - Gap) Research Question
Look for Answer (Sense Making / Bridge /
Outcome)
Note taking & Organizing/Outlining/Etc.
Answer Question (Situation - Gap) Thesis
Look for Proof (Sense Making / Bridge /
Outcome)
Note taking & Organizing/Outlining/Etc.
Write Detailed Answer w/ Proof (Final
Outcome)
Evaluation
Final Product Draft & Begin Proofreading &
Evaluations
Evaluate Final Product and Process

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Choosing the Topic.
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 given a topic by the teacher given the option of choosing a topic based on interest
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“Reasons for the Fall of Rome”

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Look for a Question.
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A research question is “a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research”(“How to Write,” n.d.).
gather general information while processing this information - be on the look out for

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Ask a Question.
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 not be too narrow or too broad must be arguable
 student should find it interesting.
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“Did the decay of the Roman Army lead to the fall of Rome? “

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Look for an Answer
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 begin looking for more specific information using their question as a guide go over notes already taken
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 conduct more in-depth research bulk of the research done here

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Answer their Research Question.
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Should not contain vague words give your answer the "So what?" test.
(Is My Thesis, 2008, para. 1)
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Becomes tentative thesis statement
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“Even though bullion hoarding and deficit stifled the growth of wealth in the west, the decay of the Roman army lead to the fall of
Rome because leaders became incompetent and rewards were unfairly distributed.”

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS

Looking for Proof
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 specific examples to back up their answer/thesis fill in any holes by conducting more research
 proof should be organized and cited for future use

W ORKFLOW R ESEARCH M ODEL – S TEPS
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Writing a detailed Answer which includes Proof.
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 create a draft:
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 give a well thought out answer (Final Thesis Statement) to research question provide proof with specific examples draft should be evaluated by themselves, peers, teachers, parents, etc.
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Using the feedback provided - make changes and finalize product.

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Pros of the Workflow Model
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Represents the transferring of data, documents and tasks during the work
Provides step-by-step illustration of complex processes
Each step has specific requirements
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The steps are completed in specific order
Students are not able to skip steps

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Keep it Simple
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Use workflow with teachers and chunk it for students
Good for collaborative projects
Have students create their workflows using this as a guide
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Tutorial Type Website
 http://www.wix.com/amytaylor/workflowresearch

W HY WE LIKE IT

R EFERENCES
Callison, D., & Lamb, A. (n.d.). Virtual Information Inquiry: Models. Virtual Information Inquiry: Student
Information Scientists and Instructional Specialists in the Learning Laboratory. Retrieved November 9,
2009, from http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/models
Eisenberg, M. (2009, October 29). Big 6. Retrieved from http://big6.com/
Hoenig, C. (2000). The Problem Solving Journey Your Guide to Making Decisions and Getting Results.
Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing.
How to Write a Research Question. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/resources-template.php?id=59
INFOhio. (2008, July 28). Infohio dialogue model for information literacy skills. Retrieved from http://www.infohio.org/ID/dialogue.html
Is my thesis statement any good? A checklist for self-evaluation. (Jan 2008). Writing!, 30, 4. p.S3(1).
Lankes, Dave. "Charleston Keynote." Address. Charleston Aquistion Conference. Charleston. Virtual Dave
Blog. 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2009. < http://quartz.syr.edu/rdlankes/blog/?p=858 >.
Rodburg, M. (n.d.). Developing a Thesis. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents
Toondoo, http://www.toondoo.com
Wilson, T.D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research. The Journal of Documentation,
55(3), 253-257.