The Big6 Research The Big6 Research ProcessProcess

By By

Mrs. MilisMrs. Milis

There are 6 steps that can make your There are 6 steps that can make your life easier when searching for life easier when searching for information!information!

If you learn these 6 steps, you can If you learn these 6 steps, you can apply them to any question or apply them to any question or problem that you need to solve!problem that you need to solve!

The Big 6 Inquiry ProcessThe Big 6 Inquiry Process

Step One: Task DefinitionStep One: Task Definition

First, clearly First, clearly identify the requirements identify the requirements of the assignmentof the assignment by carefully reading by carefully reading and rereading the directions and by and rereading the directions and by looking the rubric if providedlooking the rubric if provided—What is —What is the assignment asking you to do?the assignment asking you to do?

Then…Then…

Formulate researchable questionsFormulate researchable questions to fill to fill the need for information on a particular the need for information on a particular topic—topic—What do I want to find out?What do I want to find out?

Step 2: Develop Information Step 2: Develop Information Seeking StrategiesSeeking Strategies

Create a research planCreate a research plan

Where will you find answers to your Where will you find answers to your questions?questions?

List the best resources available to you.List the best resources available to you.

Consider all possible resources including Consider all possible resources including interviews, surveys, journals, on-line interviews, surveys, journals, on-line databasesdatabases

Step 3: Locate and Access Step 3: Locate and Access ResourcesResources

Follow your research plan to Follow your research plan to gather informationgather information

Go to the libraryGo to the library Interview expertsInterview expertsUse the InternetUse the InternetConduct a surveyConduct a surveyAsk a friend, parent, or teacher Ask a friend, parent, or teacher

Step 4: Use InformationStep 4: Use Information Record information relating to your Record information relating to your

information needs and questions by:information needs and questions by: Taking notes using index cardsTaking notes using index cards Taking notes using notebook paperTaking notes using notebook paper Taking notes using a word processorTaking notes using a word processor Taking notes using a graphic organizerTaking notes using a graphic organizer Using a tape recorder, video, or digital Using a tape recorder, video, or digital

cameracamera Other: Other: Consider how you will give credit to Consider how you will give credit to

your sources by citing your source your sources by citing your source each time you take noteseach time you take notes

Step 5: SynthesisStep 5: Synthesis

Combine information from various Combine information from various sources in the form of:sources in the form of:

A written paperA written paperAn oral presentationAn oral presentationA multimedia presentationA multimedia presentationA performanceA performanceThis is where you formulate your This is where you formulate your

conclusions, arguments, conclusions, arguments, commentary, and supporting commentary, and supporting details.details.

Step 6: EvaluationStep 6: Evaluation Before turning in an assignment ask Before turning in an assignment ask

yourself the followingyourself the following::

Did I follow the requirements of the Did I follow the requirements of the assignment stated in the directions?assignment stated in the directions?

Does the information gathered in step 4 and 5 Does the information gathered in step 4 and 5 meet the questions asked in step 1?meet the questions asked in step 1?

Is credit given to my sources? (MLA format)Is credit given to my sources? (MLA format) Is my work neat and presentable?Is my work neat and presentable? Would I be proud for anyone to view this Would I be proud for anyone to view this

work?work?

How the Big6 Research Process How the Big6 Research Process can Help You in Lifecan Help You in Life

We are always seeking We are always seeking information: what car should I information: what car should I buy? Which college should I buy? Which college should I choose? How can I sell this idea choose? How can I sell this idea to my boss? What stores sell the to my boss? What stores sell the brand I like? Etc;brand I like? Etc;

School research is a training School research is a training ground for real life.ground for real life.

The Steps in the Big6 Research The Steps in the Big6 Research process will never fail you.process will never fail you.

You Need to Become Information You Need to Become Information Literate to Survive the 21Literate to Survive the 21stst

CenturyCentury Information LiteracyInformation Literacy Is an ability to recognize when information Is an ability to recognize when information

is needed, and have the ability to locate, is needed, and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.evaluate, and use it effectively.

INFORMATION HELPS US REACH INFORMATION HELPS US REACH CONCLUSIONS, MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES, CONCLUSIONS, MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES, AND COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY. AND COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY. SO...SO...

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR SEARCHING AND EVALUATING SKILLS IN A SEARCHING AND EVALUATING SKILLS IN A CHANGING INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT.CHANGING INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT.

REMEMBER-THINK BIG!

1.Task Definition

2. Information SeekingStrategies

3. Location & Access

4. Use of Information

5. Synthesis

6. Evaluation

ReviewReview TASK DEFINITION- Define the problem and Identify the

information needed.

INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES- Determine all possible sources, and select the best ones.

LOCATION & ACCESS- Locate selected sources, and find the information you need within them.

USE OF INFORMATION- Read, hear, view, etc. the information, and extract relevant information.

SYNTHESIS- Organize information from multiple sources, and present the result.

EVALUATION- Judge the effectiveness of your product and judge the efficiency of your process.