The Big6 Research Model (Trademark of Robert E. Berkowitz and Mike Eisenberg)
The Big6 approach is one way to solve an information problem. There are other approaches to solving an information problem, but this is the framework used in the Howard County Public School System.
The following steps outline the Big6 Research Model. Answering the questions provided will help you to work through each of the steps.
1. Task Definition: Select and Refine a Topic
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What is your task?
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What questions do you have?
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What are other keywords that are related to your question/topic?
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What kind of information will you be searching for?
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How much time do you have to work on this project?
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2. Information Seeking Strategies: Determine the Best Sources of Information
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Which are the best and most appropriate types of sources to answer your questions?
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What are other areas of study that you could research?
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Generally, in most research situations, you want to use the most current and up-to-date information available. Try to determine which sources you should start with.
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3. Location and Access: Evaluate Sources Early and Often
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Where are your sources located?
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In the previous step, you selected the sources you want to use. Now, in this step, go to the shelf or site and locate them.
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4. Use of Information: Notetaking, Citation and Thesis Development
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Is the source helpful or appropriate?
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Does the information answer your questions?
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To answer these questions, you must read, view, or listen to the source.
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When you find information that you want to use, take a note or make a copy of it. Just don’t forget where you found it!
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5. Synthesis: Analyzing, Organizing and Presenting the Information
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How can you present this information in a different way to show that you understood it?
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This stage is like gift-wrapping your research. Your teacher will help you decide the best wrapping paper for your gift. Is it a multimedia presentation, a speech, an essay, or a poster?
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The hardest part about this stage is deciding what information stays and what information goes. How can you present your hard work so that it makes sense to your audience?
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6. Evaluation
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How successfully did you meet your task?
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Was the problem-solving process successful and effective or weak and inefficient?
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Was the product the best way to present the information?
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Evaluating your work helps you do a better job of it the next time.
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