Lynch
02.09.10
 



Big6 Research Model

  Big6 #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.

  • 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?
    • What does the flag of Portugal look like?
    • Where is Portugal located?
    • What are the major cities in Portugal?
    • Are there states or regions in Portugal?


These questions can be used as a place to start. You may find additional information that is not included in your original question.

Big6 #2: Information Seeking Strategies: What can I use to find what I need?

2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm)

- 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.

2.2 Evaluate the possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources)

- 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:
encyclopedias
almanacs
websites
books about Portugal
maps
people from Portugal
databases
museums
art galleries
school library
public library


Big6 #3: Location & Access: Where can I find what I need?

3.1 Locate sources

- Figure out where you will get these sources.
- 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.

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.



3.2 Find information within sources


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.

- 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). Try this easy way to create keywords.


- 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:


  • Books: Look at the index (back of the book) or table of contents (front of the book) for your topic and keywords
  • Encyclopedias: Use the index volume (usually the last volume in the set) for the topic and keywords.
  • Reference Web sites 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.
  • Free web sites: use topic or keywords in subject directories such as http://www.yahooligans.com
    Try keywords separately and some together. Ask your librarian for help if needed.


Big6 #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!
Click here for help on note taking and citing your sources.
Remember if you discover more questions while you are taking notes, it is OK to add them to your list.


Big6 #5: Synthesis: What can I make to finish the job?

5.1 Organize information from multiple sources


Decide how you will put together your notes and add your ideas and insights.

You may:


  • Write a rough draft
  • Build an outline
  • Create a storyboard
  • Draw a sketch
    (Sometimes it is easier to put the notes together in a form that resembles the final project.)

5.2 Present the information

If your teacher assigns the product:

  • Remember to follow the guidelines he or she gives.
  • Include your ideas along with the information you found in books, web sites, and other sources.


If you get to choose your final product:

  • Make sure you follow your teacher's guidelines.
  • Decide which product wil best suit your subject.

    Think about these options:

    • an oral presentation using PowerPoint
    • writing a paper
    • creating a video or audio tape
    • using technology if it is the best way to show the results of your information-finding


    In any final presenation, make sure you:

    • Include your ideas along with the information you found in books, websites, and other sources.
    • Make sure that your final product or paper is more than just a summary of what you found in the other sources.
    • Create a product or write a paper that you would be proud for anyone to read or see.
    • Include a bibliography.


    Big6 #6: Evaluation: How will I know if I did my job well?

6.1 Judge your product

Before turning in your assignment, compare it to your teacher's requirements.
  • Did you do and include everything that was required?
  • Did you give credit to all of your sources, and did you write it the way your teacher requested?
  • Is your work neat?
  • Is your work complete and does it include heading information (name, date, etc.)
  • Would you be proud for anyone to view this work?

6.2 Judge your information problem-solving process

Think about what you did to finish this assignment. You may have learned some skills to use anytime you need information to answer questions!
  • What skill(s) did you learn that you can use again?
  • How will you be able to use the skill(s) again?
  • What did you do well this time?
  • What would you do differently next time?
  • Which information sources were most useful?
    You may be able to use them again when you need information.
  • What information sources did you need but the library did not have? Talk to your librarian about the possibility of getting them.







 



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