The Big Six - Six step research process

• Define Your Task - Topic, Product, Guiding Questions

• Information Seeking Strategies- Possible Sources List

• Locate and Access - Physical and Electronic Sources

• Use of Information - Notes and Revision of Questions

• Synthesis - Product Creation and Sharing

• Evaluation - Strengths and Improvements Identified

 CARDS - Use this acronym technique to determine the usefulness and credibility of a resource.

• Currency - Is the resource recent enough to be useful?

• Accuracy - Is the information correct and can be found in other resources as well?

• Relevance - Is information in the resource closely related to your actual topic?

• Depth - Is the text readable and understandable to you? (Try the Five Finger Method)

• Source - Is the creator of the resource an expert or someone trustworthy in the topic?

Click here for a print out to help in using the CARDS test:  CARDS - Resource Evaluation .