The+Research+Process

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The Big 6 Research Process
Note: These steps are not necessarily performed in the following exact order but "recursively," as you revise your strategies and adapt them to your search results. You may need to go back to some questions several times.
 * = **Big 6 Steps** ||= **Critical thinking questions for each step** ||= **Resources** ||
 * ===Task Definition ===

|| D D 1.1 Define the information problem. D 1.2 Identify information needed in order to complete the task || === || D D 2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm). D 2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities District 51 Online Catalog
 * What is my question or problem? Is it focused?
 * Do I understand the assignment requirements?
 * Does my topic really interest me?
 * What information do I need?
 * What do I already know?
 * What more do I need to find out?
 * How will I be assessed? Is there a rubric for the project? ||= Question Brainstormer - Google Docs Template
 * ===Information Seeking Strategies
 * Where can I find the information I need?
 * Do I need specialized information like statistics or data?
 * Which databases are the best choices?
 * Which search tools should I use on the Web?
 * Do I need primary sources, journal articles, maps, etc?
 * Should I seek an expert in my topic?
 * What kind of media might I need? Images? Video? Audio?
 * Have I evaluated my sources for credibility, currency and bias? ||= DD
 * Information Sources **

EMS Databases

EMS Ready Reference

Nonfiction Book Evaluation Form
 * Evaluation Strategies**

@Website Evaluation ||
 * ===Location and Access ===

|| D D 3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically). D 3.2 Find information within sources. @Search Strategies ||
 * What keywords or subject headings should I use for my search?
 * Do the resources I found really answer my questions?
 * Do I have a method of saving my sources for access later?
 * Are my sources specific and detailed enough for my research?
 * Is the information appropriate for my reading level and abilities?
 * How will I credit my sources? ||= D
 * ===<span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8px;">Use of Information ===

|| D <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D 4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D 4.2 Extract relevant information ||= D Online note taking form (outline)
 * Do I have a strategy for note taking?
 * What kind of map or outline will best help me structure my work?
 * Do I see any patterns emerging in the information I collected?
 * How can I organize this information so that it makes sense?
 * When should I use quotes or paraphrasing?
 * Do I have enough information?
 * Do I have my sources cited?

Another online outline maker

Online webbing tool

Quotes, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

@Citation ||
 * ===<span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8px;">Synthesis ===

|| D <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D 5.1 Organize from multiple sources> D 5.2 Present the information Alternative Research Formats
 * Who is my audience?
 * How can I most effectively share this information with this audience?
 * Would my information be more understandable with images or audio?
 * How can I make my information compelling and interesting?
 * Is my information original? Does it truly reflect what I learned?
 * What do I need to present my information? Equipment? Software?
 * Have I included everything I want to share?
 * Have I proofread, edited and truly finished my project? ||= D

Cool Tools for School ||
 * ===<span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8px;">Evaluation ===

|| <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: "Lucida Grande","Trebuchet MS",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: "Lucida Grande","Trebuchet MS",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: "Lucida Grande","Trebuchet MS",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">D 6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)  //The product// //The process// ||
 * Am I proud of the product? Was it effective?
 * Did I meet the guidelines or follow the rubric for the project?
 * Am I sure I did not plagiarize from any of my sources?
 * Is this the best work I could have done?
 * Did I explore all the available resources and select the best?
 * Did persevere when I was frustrated?
 * Did I manage my time well?
 * Did I ask for help when I needed it? ||= D