The Big Six

Information Literacy Skills for the 21st Century

Using online database using multimedia using print media

I. Task Definition

Identify the information needed in order to solve a problem or answer research questions.

	Do you understand the assignment questions and requirements?
	What are the expectations of the assignment? How will the assignment be graded? Is there a rubric?
	How much information is needed to complete the assignment?
	What will the final product look like? (PowerPoint?, Oral Presentation?, Essay?, Research Paper?, etc.).
	What types of information will you look for? (historical, current, popular culture, biographical, literary criticisms, in-depth, short answer, etc.).
Tip:	Complete the first two columns of a KWHL Chart:
	What do you already know about the topic? What is your prior knowledge
	What do you need to find out?

II. Information Seeking Strategies

Identify and circle the assignment's keywords. Brainstorm any additional or alternative keywords.

	Determine the full range of possible sources of information (brainstorm – consider print, electronic, and human)
	Know the difference between the capabilities of various types of sources and select the best for the defined task.
	Identify various resources available in the SCHS media center and the Carroll County Public Library.
	Know the difference between online databases and Internet websites.
Tip:	Complete the third two columns of a KWHL Chart:
	How will you identify, locate and use the resources needed to answer your question or solve your problem?

III. Location and Access

	Locate sources of information:
	Find credible information within sources of information.
	Properly use OPAC & indexes. and search engines.
Tip:
When conducting a Google Search: try domain searching (e.g. site:gov) and Title searching (e.g. intitle:carbohydrates); put “ “ around phrases. For more searching suggestions, visit the advanced searching pages of all search engines.	Know how to extract information using online databases.
Look for "Quacks" in your information	To find credible information within sources. Use criteria to evaluate research resources.

IV. Use of Information

Tip:	Use reading strategies to better understand the content in various sources of information.
You can check out great resources from the media center or public library to use at home. Online databases can also be used from home.	Use a graphic organizer or note cards to take notes.
	As you take notes, cite your sources on a works cited page.
	Record information in an ethical manner, i.e. paraphrase and summarize the information that you find.

V. Synthesis

TIP: Some ways to organize information are: chronologically, thematically, by category, alphabetically, and progressively (beginning to end, smallest to largest, largest to smallest).	Organize information from multiple sources.
TIP: There are many ways in which information can be presented.	Communicate the information.

Evaulation

Tip:	The judge the effectiveness of the research results.
During the final stage of the Big Six complete the last column of A KWHL chart: What did you learn from your assignment?	Judge the efficiency and effectiveness of the problem-solving process.

The Research Page is sponsored by
The South Carroll High School Media Center.
Last Updated September 12, 2007