The Big6 Research process, a step-by-step approach to productive research.
Questions to ask yourself
STEP 1: Task definition
Define the problem
Identify the information need
What does my teacher expect me to do?
Do I understand what I need to do?
What are the questions I need to answer?
What do I need to know about the topic?
STEP 2: Information seeking strategies
Identify all resources
Select the best resources
Where can you start to look for information?·
Who can I talk too to get information?
What are the best sources to use?
STEP 3: Location and Access
Locate resources
Find information in resources
Where can I find these resources?
How do I search to get to them?
Where do I find the information in the resource?
STEP 4: Use of information
Read, view information – decide which parts you want to use (and leave out)
What type of information did I find?
Will the information answer the questions I have?
How do I write notes on the information?
Is the information reliable?
STEP 5: Synthesis (Putting Puzzle together)
Organize resources
Present the information
How do I fit all the information together
How do I write an outline of the project?
How do I present the information to my teacher to answer the question?
Did I remember to make notes of all the sources for the bibliography?
STEP 6: Evaluation
Judge the product
Judge the process
Did I solve the problem?
Did I write the project in a format that will be understood?
Will I do anything different the next time?
What did I learn?
Am I pleased with the project?
More information can be retrieved from:
Research Skills: IB - Extended Essay - https://libguides.tts.edu.sg/research/extendedessay
https://libguides.tts.edu.sg/EE
http://nmasse.com/courses/ref/big6/big6.htm
https://www2.humboldt.edu/libraryquiz/begin-research
http://www.big6.com/files/Big6Handouts.pdf
