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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.The Big6tm Quick Guide Click to Open Printable VersionQuestions 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.