Media Center Hanover Central Middle School / Research Process

The Big6tm Research Process

Use the following steps when working on any research project or solving an information problem. Click the links for important goals and details on each step of the process.

1. Task Definition

1.1 Define the information problem

1.2 Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies

2.1 Determine all possible sources

2.2 Select the best sources

3. Location and Access

3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)

3.2 Find information within sources

4. Use of Information

4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)

4.2 Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis

5.1 Organize from multiple sources

5.2 Present the information

6. Evaluation

6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)

6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

The Big6tm Quick Guide Click to Open Printable Version

Step 1: TASK DEFINITION
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
What is my task? What is the problem I need to solve, or question I need to answer? What do I already know about my question or problem. What do I need to know to solve the problem or answer the question?	Graphic organizers - KWL chart
What types of information do I need? facts, opinions, pictures, interviews primary sources?	Brainstorming

Step 2: INFORMATION-SEEKING STRATEGIES
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
What are all the possible sources for finding this information?	Graphic organizer - brainstorming keywords
Which of the possible sources are best for me to use?	Index and table of contents Web site evaluation form

Step 3: LOCATION and ACCESS
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
Where will I find these sources? Who can help me find the sources?	classroom school library public library community Internet
What do I need to use to access this information?	Library Online Catalog (OPAC) Internet Browser

Step 4: USE of INFORMATION
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
How will I record the information that I find? (take notes? draw pictures? use an audio or video recorder?)	graphic organizers Notebook or note cards
What information in each source is useful. How will I give credit to my sources? (bibliography? Works Cited? notes at end of presentation?)	"Keeping Track of Sources" sheet "Citing Sources" on Library Webpage EasyBib

Step 5: SYNTHESIS
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
How can I organize the information?	Graphic organizers Outline skills
How can I present the results? What product or performance should I use? (written report, multimedia presentation, art project?)	Student Product Possibilities Multimedia equipment

Step 6: EVALUATION
Questions to guide you	Resources and strategies to help you
Did I complete the task? Did I do my best work?	Rubric

Big6™ Skills Approach was developed by Eisenberg and Berkowitz. The phrases "Big6 Skills" and "Big6 Skills Curriculum" are all copyrights of Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz.