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The Research CycleCreated by Jamie McKenzie 2000

Philosophy• Rejects topical research and assists students to be

Information Producers as opposed to Consumers.

• Constructivist approach where children construct knowledge through exploration, investigation, questioning etc.

• The Research Cycle consists of 7 stages that are used to plan and conduct meaningful research.

• The cycle emphasises information problem solving skills needed for success with the internet and other information resources.

Questioning

The first step in the Cycle is to clarify and “map out” the essential question being explored.

Jamie McKenzie believes teachers should emphasize research questions that require the students to problem solve, or make their own decision – questions that require students to make up their own minds about something.

E.g. What is the best fast food restaurant?

The students begin by brainstorming to form a cluster diagram of all related questions. These additional questions will then guide the research.

HELP! I have my main question but I can’t think of any

additional questions to help my research.

Planning

• Students are required to think strategically about the best ways to find reliable information.

• Where to find sources of relevant information.

• Which resources are reliable?

Where would we find the best information?

How do we know if the information is reliable?

Could we try looking in

some books or on the internet.

Gathering

• Gather information that is useful and relevant• Structure the information as it is gathered• Beware of INFOGLUT• Use the Internet when likely to provide the best

information• Books, CD-ROMS can prove more useful and

efficient

Hi there Cookie Monster

I’m gathering information about the best type of cookies a monster like you would like to eat

Yum…Yum….yes I will ask all my Monster Friends on the Street and give you useful and relevant feedback to your question.

Sorting and Sifting

• Systematic scanning and organizing of data

• Organize those ‘nuggets’ of information most likely to contribute to INSIGHT

• Sort and Sift like fishing net – throw back the information you don’t need

Synthesizing

Arrange

Rearrange

Regroup Findings Patterns/Pictures emerge

Come on folks, it’s my job to

synthesize. Let’s put all our

information together.

Evaluating

• Is more research required before proceeding to the reporting stage?

• Review success criteria – do we meet it?• Are we ready to report?• If not…go back to gathering to find more

information

I’m a bit thin on

information…I need to go back to

the gathering stage to

get some more.

My group needs to do a

bit more synthesizing… (whatever that

means)

I’m ready to move on to my reporting

Reporting

The research team reports to an audience of decision makers and makes recommendations based on their findings.

This model warns against flashy multimedia presentations.

After researching our question we

have decided the best type of cookie is…

Chocolate Chip!

Nice and Chewy

Tasty chocolate.

Nice and Big

Good value for money

Our group decided to use the Jamie McKenzie model for our inquiry process.

Using the Research Cycle Model• Our Key Question:• Is the McKenzie Research

Cycle the Right choice for Shelly Park School?

• Our Subsidiary Questions:• What is the Research Cycle?• What philosphy underpins it?• What are the Stages?• Does it accommodate the Key

Competencies?

Gathering:Visited Eastnet hyperlink to view The Research Cycle -

Jamie McKenzieEnsuring all information is

relevant to our focus question and subsidiary

questions (success criteria)

Sorting and Sifting:Grouping the information to answer

the success criteria.

Evaluating:Ascertain whether more information is needed

Questioning:Is the Jamie McKenzie

Inquiry Model (Research

Cycle) right for Shelly Park

School

Where to next?

Planning:* Find information

sources* Identify how we

would present and to whom

* What philosophy underpinned this

model*What the key

stages in this cycle were.

*How this model relate to

implementing key competencies.

* Assigned roles*Time-line of

activityRefer to planning

model.

Synthesizing:Arrange and re-arrange the

information to form a generalisation to enable us to make a judgment on

the Key Question.Using Plus/Minus/Interesting

Thinking Hats

Reporting:Delivering a persuasive

presentation, provide solution, report and recommendation

The Research Cycle 2000 Created by Jamie McKenzie

Evaluating for us meant…

• Did we understand the philosophy underpinning this inquiry model?

• Had we considered how this relates to the key competencies?

• Could we make an informed generalisation as to the worth or relevance of this model to Shelly Park School on the basis of our information.

Plus MinusModel is quite detailed and thoroughStages are sequentialChildren have the opportunity to evaluate before the end.Encompasses all of the key competencies Thinking: creating an answer rather than finding an answer (higher order thinking)Relating to Others: working in a group, working with experts, visitors etcManaging Self: Personal responsibility for some role in their learning i.e. time management.Using language, text and symbols: reading, writing, viewing, presenting, speaking and listening.Participating and Contributing: e.g. Role distribution is fair, extending their understanding at a wider community level e.g. global.

It could be difficult to implement and for children to identify where they are in the process.There is no beginning immersion stage to enable children to hook in to the topic and therefore formulate questions.Terms like synthesizing are not easy for children to say or respond to.It could tend to be repetitive by going back through the process several times as recommended. (children losing interest?Or feeling frustrated?)Can only be as successful as the knowledge of staff and students

Interesting: Points to Consider

Scaffolding: A great deal is needed to ensure children have a deeper issue or deeper quality of question.Staff will be required to teach a range of skills to support the stages.

We don’t think the McKenzie Research Model is right for Shelly Park School in its present form but we liked elements of it. Most importantly…

What do YOUThink?

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Photographs By: Bert and Ernie

Editing By: Cookie Monster

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