Research
This site is a work in progress. I will be adding additional resources.
The Big6 Research Process
The Big6 is a set of steps that helps us break down research into manageable chunks. It was developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz. Although the steps have a numbered order, we don't have to do them strictly in that order. For example, it would be useful to do Step 6: Evaluation throughout the process. Or as you find information in Step 4, you might come up with new questions to ask (Step 1).
STEP 1: TASK DEFINITION
In this step, we define the task. In other words, we make sure we know what our topic is. We understand the assignment from the teacher. We develop questions that need to be answered.
STEP 2: INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES
In Step 2, we consider what sources are available and which ones would be the best to use. Students should start with familiar reliable resources. They may need to evaluate websites that they have found via Google.
STEP 3: LOCATION & ACCESS
In Step 3, we make sure we know how to get to reliable resources and how to find information once we get there. We may need to think of good search terms and use text features to help us.
STEP 4: USE OF INFORMATION
In Step 4, we actual read, view, or listen to the information we have found. Then we pull out just the information we need for our notes. Notes should be in short words or phrases, not copied and pasted from our sources. We need to keep track of where we found the information.
STEP 5: SYNTHESIS
In Step 5, we bring all of our information together, organize it, and use it to write a paper or create a presentation or other product. We share this with an audience.
STEP 6: EVALUATION
In Step 6, we look back over the process of research and the product. Did we use our time well? Were some parts of the research process more difficult than others? Is our product clear, informative, and creative? What could we do better next time.
Updated 12/6/22 by K. Thoennes