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Name: ________________________________ Class: ________ Date: ________
This organizer is based on Big6™ skills. The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com.
Use these skills to help you efficiently complete your research project.
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem.
Subject ___________________________________
Assignment _________________________________________________
Final product (essay, PowerPoint, speech, poster etc.) _____________________________
Date assigned ______________________________
Due date __________________________________
Other requirements _________________________________________________________
How much time (hours) will you need to spend on this assignment? ___________________
Materials required for completing assignment (e.g., assignment handout, textbook, library resources, computer, printer paper, magazines, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Read the Accountability Form found at http://www.2learn.ca/mapset/SafetyNet/plagiarism/accountable.html Be prepared to submit a completed copy with your assignment.
Steps/ due dates to complete assignment: what steps will you follow to get this done? (E.g., create research questions, go to library, research online databases to get extra material, search World Wide Web sites, do outline, write rough draft, do bibliography, type good copy of answers, etc.)
Step 1: ____________________________________________Due Date: ______________
Step 2: ____________________________________________ Due Date: ______________
Step 3: ____________________________________________ Due Date: ______________
Step 4: ____________________________________________ Due Date: ______________
Step 5: ____________________________________________ Due Date: ______________
1.2 Identify information needed in order to complete the task. List 10 questions that you want answered in your research.
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2.
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10.
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine the range of possible sources. Text, electronic, other: brainstorm, then list below.
2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities. Select the best five sources and list in order of usefulness below.
1. 4.
2. 5.
3.
You should evaluate all your resources for credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support. If you use World Wide Web sites other than those your teacher supplies, evaluate them in writing by using this checklist: http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Training/evalchecklist.pdf
Submit a form for each non-teacher-supplied site you use.
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically) List below all the places/ways you will find quality information. (Your textbook? teacher? parent? school/public library catalogue? school online databases? school library web site? World Wide Web?)
3.2 Find information within sources. List possible search terms below. Add to/revise these as you find successful ones.
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) the information in a source. Keep track of your sources as you collect your information. How will you do this as you use each resource? (E.g., note cards, a separate word processing file to save bibliographical information
4.2 Extract relevant information from a source.
1. Take notes on note cards or use a word processor. As you find good quotes for your essay, be sure to copy them exactly as they appear in the text, along with the bibliographical information.
2. Complete the questionnaire Responsible Resource Use found at http://www.2learn.ca/mapset/SafetyNet/plagiarism/current.html#
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize information from multiple sources.
1. How will you organize your point form information? (outline, concept map, etc.)
2. Be sure to allow sufficient time to get your rough draft proofread. Who will do this?
5.2 Present the information
1. What form will your finished work take (essay, multimedia presentation, speech, etc.)?
2. Allow sufficient time to polish your final product and have that final draft proofread.
3. How will you cite your sources (bibliography, footnotes, etc.)? Consult the Citing Sources page at http://www.melazerte.com/library/citing.htm for help with this.
4. Complete and submit the Accountability Form found at http://www.2learn.ca/mapset/SafetyNet/plagiarism/accountable.html
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
1. Does your final product represent your best work? _________________
2. Why or why not?
6.2 Judge the information problem-solving process (efficiency)
1. How many hours did this assignment take? _____
2. Compare this with the predicted amount of time you gave in #1. Was your prediction accurate? Why or why not?
3. List one strategy that you used to research this topic that worked well for you.
4. List one area of doing a research project where you might improve your skills.