The Research Process
Follow the "Big 6" information literacy steps for a successful research experience.
1. Task Definition:
Think . . .
- What is my end goal/final product?
- What types of information will I need to achieve that goal?
2. Information Seeking Strategies:
Brainstorm . . .
- Where could I best find the information I need using materials available to me through both the school library and the public library?
- What types of sources would be appropriate for my assignment?
Ex. Are websites appropriate, or do my sources need to be more scholarly?
Do I need current or historical resources (primary source documents), or both?
3. Location and Access
- Use the resources available to you to conduct your research.
- Evaluate which documents will be of the most use to you.
- Mark important information using post-its and tabs, or highlight if you are able to print or keep the resource.
- Take notes on non-printable resources using the Cornell Notes method or another method preferred by your teacher.
- Your teacher may ask you to put together an Annotated Bibliography, evaluating the usefulness of each of the sources you have found.
Tools:
- Catalog and Databases - Our school library catalog and online databases are a great place to begin the hunt for appropriate research sources. Additional texts and online databases are available through the public library for any patron. You'll find links to all of these wonderful tools via this page of our school library website.
- Guidelines for Evaluating Websites - A google search for information can be wonderful, but in order to know whether you have located a site of academic value and one that can be trusted for accuracy, you must first evaluate the site in the following areas: General Professionalism, Authorship, and Timeliness. Use this checklist to help guide your source selection. The example compares one acceptable website with one that would be unacceptable for scholarly research.
- Cornell Notes - English Companion - This pdf file demonstrates how to take notes according to the Cornell Method. You can create a Cornell notes template easily on any sheet of paper.
Writing an Annotated Bibliography - The Purdue Online Writing Lab - The Purdue University Writing Lab does a wonderful job explaining the purpose of an annotated bibliography and what information you must cover for each source by using the three step annotation model of Summarize, Assess, Reflect.
4. Use of Information:
- Pull relevant information from your sources.
- Generate MLA citations for each source.
Tools:
- Bibme - If you create an account with the website, Bibme is a citation generator that will allow you to download your completed Works Cited page directly from the website. For directions on creating an account and generating your Works Cited page, see this step-by-step tutorial.
- NoodleBib Express - NoodleBib Express is a free online citation generator from NoodleTools. It is particularly useful for creating citations for more unusual sources such as brochures, blogs, and face-to-face interviews. For directions on using NoodleBibExpress to generate your MLA citations, see this step-by-step tutorial.
5. Synthesis
- In the pre-writing stage, organize your source material by using an appropriate graphic organizer or by creating an outline.
- Finalize your assignment in its appropriate format.
6. Evaluation
Reflect on your performance throughout the research process . . .
- Are you pleased with your final product?
- What did you do well?
- What do you wish you had done a better job with?
- What will you do differently the next time you have a research project?
- Did you incorporate a variety of excellent sources?
- What sources were most helpful? Why?
- What did you learn from the research process?
Adapted from:
Riedling, Ann. Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialist: Tools and Tips, 2nd Edition. Worthington, OH: Linworth Books, 2005. 10. Print.
The “Big6™” is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more on Big6, visit: www.big6.com.
Why it's important to cite:
Just as you have physical property that belongs you: furniture, jewelry, books, toys, a bike, etc., each person also has what is known as intellectual property. Just as a person's physical property is protected from theft by law, intellectual property is also protected. A person's ideas and written work belong to him/her, and it is not okay to use them without citing where you found your information and in some cases, without requesting permission.
Academic Dishonesty refers to copying or cheating on an assignment and even more seriously, it refers to plagiarism. Plagiarism is when a person takes the words of another and uses them as his/her own. This is treated as a very, very serious offense, whether plagiarism was committed on purpose or unintentionally, so it is very important that you cite all of the sources you may have used, every time, whether you are quoting directly or even just paraphrasing or summarizing from a document. You would be upset to find out someone else had taken your idea and given you no credit. Have the same respect for others that you expect for yourself.
Academic Dishonesty refers to copying or cheating on an assignment and even more seriously, it refers to plagiarism. Plagiarism is when a person takes the words of another and uses them as his/her own. This is treated as a very, very serious offense, whether plagiarism was committed on purpose or unintentionally, so it is very important that you cite all of the sources you may have used, every time, whether you are quoting directly or even just paraphrasing or summarizing from a document. You would be upset to find out someone else had taken your idea and given you no credit. Have the same respect for others that you expect for yourself.
MLO
07.18.10
