Are You Tired of Boring Old Research Projects? You know… the kind where you copy meaningless facts from dusty old books?

How Would You Like to Turn Your Index Cards in For a Research Method that… Has six easy-to-follow steps that take you from forming your question to presenting your project? Lets YOU be in charge of your research and makes learning more interesting? Gives you an investigation method that can help you answer questions in the “real world”? Allows you to use exciting new technology tools instead of limiting you to old-fashioned ways of researching and presenting information?

Sound Good? You need the Big6! A research method that does all that and also ensures that you have the “information literacy skills and talents that you need to succeed in the 21st century!”* (Murray 42) *According to AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

What is the Big6? Created by Drs. Mike Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz, the Big6 is an “information problem-solving strategy” that helps you find what you need to face any problem or task. “…the Big6 information problem-solving model is applicable whenever people need and use information…in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks” (Eisenberg, “Big6 Skills Overview”).

So, what can the Big6 do for me? It can point you in the right direction! This process will help you find what you need to know to solve problems from school assignments to choosing the right cell phone for you. It can even help with selecting college courses! (Story-Huffman) It’s especially useful for those dreaded research projects, making the whole process go by much more smoothly.

How Do I Use the Big6? Here are the six steps that make up the Big6: Step One: Task Definition Step Two: Information Seeking Strategies Step Three: Location and Access Step Four: Use of Information Step Five: Synthesis Step Six: Evaluation We will look at each step in more depth, breaking them down one by one.

1.1 Define the Information Problem: Step 1: Task Definition 1.1 Define the Information Problem: What do you need to know? If you’re researching something for yourself, take a minute to think about what you’re trying to find out. If it’s a school project, make sure you understand the assignment and the teacher’s requirements. Ask the teacher if you are confused about anything. Restate the assignment in your own words to make sure you completely understand.

Step 1: Task Definition 1.2 What information do you need in order to complete the assignment or solve the problem? Many times, the teacher will tell you what information you need. If a rubric is provided, be sure that you look it over carefully. Once you know the requirements of the assignment, you might want to make a list of questions to look up. A K-W-L chart is a useful tool to help you organize your questions. Your teacher and librarian can help you with this.

Example Example Problem: You need a new cell phone! Before you ask your parents or spend your own money, you want to have a solid case for the right one. Your first question may be: What are my priorities for my new phone? How will I compare different choices? After that, some questions may look like this: What service providers offer this phone? What kind of reviews has it gotten? What features does it have? Will I need a lot of other equipment to go with it? How much does it cost?

Step 1: Task Definition Possible Technology Tools To clearly explain assignments and brainstorm problems Email Listservs Newsgroups Chat Videoconferencing Any form of online communication Software to generate timelines Organizational charts to plan and organize problems

Step 2: Information Seeking Strategies 2.1 Make a list of all the possible sources you could use to answer your questions. Consider the following: Books Magazines Encyclopedias Interviews Observations Free websites Any databases or websites your library subscribes to – you can ask your librarian about this if you’re not sure.

Step 2: Information Seeking Strategies 2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources in order to select the best ones Look at the list of sources and mark the ones that are available to you and easy to use. Next, evaluate your sources: Is the author an expert on the subject? Is the information current? Is the information accurate? Is the website credible? How do you know? What is the perspective of the author? Are they objective, or do they have an ulterior motive? Ask your teacher, librarian, or parents if you need help evaluating a source.

Example Think about what sources you can use to find information about different cell phones available. Here are some samples: Consumer Reports magazine Online reviews Friends or acquaintances who have the phone Descriptions from the company who makes the phone Retail stores (real or virtual) BUT! Be sure you think about your sources. Can you trust the online reviewers? Do the stores and companies have an ulterior motives? Are you looking at reputable publications?

Step 2: Information Seeking Strategies Possible Technology Tools Identify and assess computerized resources such as: Search engines Electronic indexes Online library catalogs Blogs Use email to communicate with sources

Step 3: Location and Access 3.1 Locate your sources Where can you get your sources? Write the location by your source. If it’s a book or magazine, write the call number. If it’s a website, write its address. If it’s a person, write how you will contact them. Use your school library, but don’t forget about the public library! Example: Amazon.com product details and reviews http://www.amazon.com/cell-phones-service-plans-accessories/b/ref=topnav_storetab_cps?ie=UTF8&node=301185 Consumer Reports, Periodicals CONSU, public library

Step 3: Location and Access 3.2 Find information within the sources: How do you find the answers to your questions within the sources? Make a list of keywords that will help you find the information you are looking for. Example: “Nokia,” “T-Mobile,” “customer reviews,” “top cell phones,” etc. Use the tools for each source: Books have an index or a table of contents. Encyclopedias have an index volume that is usually the last volume in the set. Subscription websites (Gale, Worldbook Online, etc) use keywords in the search box, as do general Internet search engines. You may have to try keywords alone or in different combinations to get the results you want.

Step 3: Location and Access Possible Technology Tools You can use a wide variety of electronic resources: Web search engines Online databases Electronic indexes Online library catalogs Electronic encyclopedias Searchable periodical indexes

Step 3: Location and Access Graphic Organizers may be useful for this step Use organizers to help you see what information you have found and what you still need to know. Ask your librarian if tools such as “Inspiration” (http://www.inspiration.com) are available. Free graphic organizers for different types of assignments can also be found at http://www.big6.com/.

Step 4: Use of Information 4.1 Engage (read, hear, view, touch) Use your sources: Read the books. Explore the websites. Watch the videos. Listen to the interviews. Talk to the first-person sources. Use what you’ve found!

Step 4: Use of Information 4.2 Extract relevant information Figure out what is important and useful in each source. Keep notes of what you learn. Make sure you have the citations for all of your sources. Keep using those graphic organizers – they will help you compile your final project.

Step 4: Use of Information Possible Technology Tools Students use online or stored electronic information sources to View Download Decompress files Use copy/paste feature to extract information BE SURE TO CITE YOUR SOURCES!

Step 5: Synthesis 5.1 Organize from multiple sources Create an outline for your final project, using the information you have gathered. Use writing tools to help you get organized: Concept webs K-W-L charts (update the ones you’ve already made) Essay maps, such as the one available at http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/essaymap/ from Read Write Think.

Step 5: Synthesis 5.2 Present the information: This is where it all comes together – compiling your final paper or project. Look back at the organizers you have used, and create the final product. Be sure to cite your sources as you go! Edit your composition, and have someone else look over it before you turn it in. Double-check the assignment requirements and/or rubric before you submit your final product.

Step 5: Synthesis Possible Technology Tools To organize information Writing tools Organizational charts note-taking software To communicate results Word processing Powerpoint Spreadsheet and graphics software To distribute results Email Blogs Wikis Web publishing and other media

Step 6: Evaluation 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness) Take a look back at what you did: Did you make your point? Did you fulfill the requirements? What kind of grade would you give yourself? What could you have improved?

Step 6: Evaluation 6.2 Judge the process (efficiency) Look back at how you completed the assignment: Did you make good use of your time? Did you choose the best sources? What might you have done differently? How can you make the process easier and more efficient next time?

Step 6: Evaluation Possible Technology Tools Spelling/grammar check Tools like www.easybib.com to evaluate works cited Email to receive feedback Online survey Post reflections in a blog

Remember… The Big6 steps do not always have to go straight down the list! Sometimes the process can go in a circle: Sometimes we can skip around and repeat steps: Task Definition Synthesis Info Seeking Location and Access Evaluation Use Info Synthesis Use of Info Evaluation Task Definition Information Seeking Strategies Evaluation Location and Access Synthesis Use of Information Once the circle is completed, it can spiral off into new questions and start all over again.

Working Together with the Big6 The Big6 is easy to use with a collaborative project: Steps can be divided up among group members. Different ideas and perspectives can help make each step more effective. Group members can help keep each other on track.

Keep in mind… You can use the Big6 for any assignment or problem-solving situation You could use it to complete school assignments such as: Your Social Studies teacher asks you to do a research project on one of the major world religions. Your English teacher assigns a book report on a Newberry Medal novel. Science Fair projects In Math, your teacher instructs you to conduct a survey and represent the data OR…

You can use the Big6 to find information YOU are interested in… You are preparing to buy a new skateboard and want to know the best one to choose. You really like a particular author and want to know what other books he/she has written. You want to learn more about your favorite recording artist and if they are coming in concert near you. You want the first look at a movie that is coming out soon. You are worried that a friend may have an eating disorder and want to know more about the warning signs. You are interested in learning about different religions or about religious youth groups in your area.

Works Cited Murray, Janet. “Looking at ICT Literacy Standards Through the Big6 Lens.” Library Media Connection. April/May (2008): 38-42. Print. Eisenberg, Mike. “Big6 Skills Overview.” Big6.com. Big6, 19 Nov. 2001. Web. 12 Oct. 2009. <http://www.big6.com/category/overview-of-big6-skills/> Story-Huffman, Ru. “The Big6 and Freshman Year: How to Select Courses.” Higher Ed eNewsletter. Big6, 20 Oct. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2009. <http://www.big6.com/2009/10/20/the-big6-and-freshman- year-how-to-select-courses-enews-10-3-3/>.

Works Consulted "Big6 – A Good Way to Get Started « Big6 Kids." Big6. Big6, 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2009. <http://www.big6.com/kids/site/2002/02/13/big6 a-good-way-to-get-started/>. Eisenberg, Mike. "Information Literacy: The Most Basic of Basics!“ University of Washington. June 2009. Web. 14 Oct. 2009. <http://uweoconnect.extn.washington.edu/publicmbeinfolit/>. Rainbird, Kathleen. Personal interview. 10 Oct. 2009.