home

=Steps to Starting Your Research: The Big Six=

**Step** **#1: Task Definition: What do I need to do?**

**1.1 Define the information problem ** - What does your teacher want you to do? Make sure you understand the requirements of the assignment.- Ask your teacher to explain the assignment if it seems vague or confusing.- Restate the assignment in your own words and ask if you are correct.

**1.2 Identify the information you need in order to complete the task (to solve the information problem) ** - What information do you need in order to do the assignment?Your teacher will often tell you what information you need.- If he or she does not, it will help to write a list of questions that you need to look up. Let’s say your assignment is to do a report on a foreign country, and you choose Portugal. These questions can be used as a place to start. You may find additional information that is not included in your original question.
 * What information do you need to create your report?
 * What kind of things do you think you should learn about?
 * Do you want to learn about the history, the food, the festivals and traditions, the economy, local crops, folk tales, language, religion, geography (rivers, mountains, landscape, etc.), climate, government, art or music?
 * What is Portugal’s form of government?
 * What language(s) do people speak in Portugal?
 * What is the official language?
 * What is the geography of Portugal? Are there rivers? Mountains? Is it near the ocean? How big is the country?
 * What do the farmers grow in Portugal?
 * What kind of food do people eat in Portugal?
 * What are the traditional celebrations and holidays?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What does the flag of Portugal look like?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Where is Portugal located?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What are the major cities in Portugal?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Are there states or regions in Portugal?

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Step #2: Information Seeking Strategies: What can I use to find what I need? **

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm) ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">- Make a list of all the possible sources of information that will help you answer the questions you wrote in Task Definition (Big6#1.1, 1.2).- Consider library books, encyclopedias, and web sites to which your library subscribes (ask your librarian!), people who are experts in your subject, observation of your subject, free web sites and surveys

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">.**2.2 Evaluate the possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources)** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">- Look carefully at your list.- Circle the sources that are available to you and easy for you to use.(Try new sources, you might find some really fun facts. If there are some new sources that you need help to use, ask your teacher, librarian, mom or dad.)Sources for your report on Portugal might include:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">encyclopedias
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">almanacs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">websites
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">books about Portugal
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">maps
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">people from Portugal
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">databases
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">museums
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">art galleries
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">school library
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">public library

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Step #3: Location & Access: Where can I find what I need? **

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3.1 Locate sources ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">- Figure out where you will get these sources. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">- Beside each source, write its location.If it is a web site, list its web address.- To save time, try to use web sites that your teacher or librarian have linked or bookmarked.- If your source is a person, figure out how you will contact him or her and make a note of this. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Now, you will actually get the sources.You may have to get and use each source one at a time. If so, come back to this step to locate each source.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3.2 Find information within sources ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Now that you have the source in hand, how will you get to the information that you need to answer your questions? (Remember the questions you wrote in Task Definition?) This all depends on the source. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">- First, make a list of words that will help you find information in all of your sources. These are called keywords. They are like synonyms and related words to your topic. You can find many of these in the questions you wrote in Big6 Task Definition (Big6 #1.1, 1.2). .- Next, make a list of the sources of information you will use. Beside each one, write how you will locate the information you need.Hints…with:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Books: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Look at the index (back of the book) or table of contents (front of the book) for your topic and keywords
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encyclopedias: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Use the index volume (usually the last volume in the set) for the topic and keywords.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reference Web sites **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> that are subscribed to by your library (such as Gale, Worldbook Online, etc.): type either your topic or keywords in the search box. Try keywords separately and some together. Ask your librarian for help if needed.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Free web sites: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">use topic or keywords in subject directories such as http://www.yahooligans.comTry keywords separately and some together. Ask your librarian for help if needed.


 * Step** **#4: Use of Information: What information can I use?**
 * **4.1 Engage the source (read, listen, view, touch)**- You will need to read, listen or view your source.If you can’t understand any of your sources, ask an adult to help you. It’s OK not to understand something, but it’s not OK to avoid asking for help.- You may not need to read, listen to, or view all material in each book, article, or website. You are looking for the specific information you need. Read the first sentence in each paragraph to decide if that paragraph has answers to your questions.


 * **4.2 Take out the relevant information from a source.**

It’s time to take some notes!Try to take notes electronically if possible so you don’t have to rewrite every time you revise your paper. Next, it is time to take notes from your sources. You should write only those words that answer your question. Save your energy for using the notes in the final product. Here’s how to write only the words that answer your questions. It is called **Trash-n-Treasure** and is very easy to learn. Find the section or page that you think will answer your question. Read the first sentence. Does it answer or help answer the question? If not, go to the next sentence because it is trash (to you). If it answers the question, look at words and phrases. Ask yourself: **“Which of these words and phrases answer my question?”** Those words and phrases are the treasure you are seeking. You don’t need to use any of the words that are just filler. Record the **“treasure”** words on the appropriate place on your note taking organizer. Go to the next sentence and repeat numbers 2 and 3. Do this until the section is finished. Now you must cite your sources! This means that you must give credit to the books, web sites, and other materials that you used. Ask your teacher or librarian how you should cite your sources. []

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Step #5: Synthesis: What can I make to finish the job? ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5.1 Organize information from multiple sources ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Decide how you will put together your notes and add your ideas and insights.You may:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Write a rough draft
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Build an outline
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Create a storyboard
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Draw a sketch (Sometimes it is easier to put the notes together in a form that resembles the final project.)

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5.2 Present the information ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">If your teacher assigns the product: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">If you get to choose your final product: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Think about these options: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">In any final presenation, make sure you:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Remember to follow the guidelines he or she gives.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Include your ideas along with the information you found in books, web sites, and other sources.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Make sure you follow your teacher’s guidelines.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Decide which product wil best suit your subject.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">an oral presentation using PowerPoint
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">writing a paper
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">creating a video or audio tape
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">using technology if it is the best way to show the results of your information-finding
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Include your ideas along with the information you found in books, websites, and other sources.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Make sure that your final product or paper is more than just a summary of what you found in the other sources.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Create a product or write a paper that you would be proud for anyone to read or see.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Include a bibliography. See: [|www.easybib.com]

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Step #6: Evaluation: How will I know if I did my job well? ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Think about what you did to finish this assignment. You may have learned some skills to use anytime you need information to answer questions!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What skill(s) did you learn that you can use again?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">How will you be able to use the skill(s) again?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What did you do well this time?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What would you do differently next time?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Which information sources were most useful?You may be able to use them again when you need information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">What information sources did you need but the library did not have? Talk to your librarian about the possibility of getting them.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6.1 Judge your product ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Before turning in your assignment, compare it to your teacher’s requirements.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Did you do and include everything that was required?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Did you give credit to all of your sources, and did you write it the way your teacher requested?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Is your work neat?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Is your work complete and does it include heading information (name, date, etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Would you be proud for anyone to view this work?