Scientific Creative Writing Project Ms. Childers May 2007

The Big6 Research Process #1 Task Definition #2 Information Seeking Strategies #3 Location & Access #4 Use of Information #5 Synthesis #6 Evaluation

The Big6 Research Process #1 Task Definition  What movie should I see this weekend? #2 Information Seeking Strategies  See what is playing, read review, talk to friends, #3 Location & Access  Newspaper, Theatre websites, movie review sites #4 Use of Information  Compare movies that I find #5 Synthesis  Choose movie & go #6 Evaluation  What worked (reviews, friends suggestions) & Did I like the movie

#1 Task Definition Define the Problem Identify the information Needed What is my task?  Write a short story based on a element of science What is my focus question or thesis statement?  What element of science will I research? What do I want to know?  1. These items may change after initial research  2.  3.  4.  5.

#2 Information Seeking Strategies What are possible PRINT sources? Which sources are best for my project? Almanac Atlas Background Notes CultureGrams Encyclopedia: Print Magazines: Print Non-Fiction #__________ Biography: 921, 920 Other?

#2 Information Seeking Strategies What are possible ELECTRONIC sources? Which ones are best for my project? Encyclopedia: WorldBook Online EBSCO  Index to Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Reference Infotrac  Discovering Collection: Literature, History, Biographies, Science, Social Studies, Authors, Cultures, More  Opposing Viewpoints Science Facts on File Web Sites – Library web site Books (GJHS Library Home Page)

#2 Information Seeking Strategies Websites Use Library Home page Use evaluation form Be very, very careful

The Nature of Web Information 1. Anyone can publish "information.“ 2. There is no complete list of web sites. 3. There are no official organizers, catalogers, or evaluators. 4. Sites constantly change; new sites are constantly created; and sites often disappear. 5. Finally, there are no standards for web search tools.

Authority & Credibility Who wrote, created or published the information? Can you clearly identify the credentials of the creator? If yes, list credentials. Is contact info for the creator provided? (mail, phone, etc?) Can the information be verified? Whose web site is this? Organization sponsoring? Domain name… dot what? (edu, com, org, etc.)

A uthority & Credibility Who wrote, created or published the information? Can you clearly identify the credentials of the creator? If yes, list credentials. Is contact info for the creator provided? (mail, phone, etc?) Can the information be verified? Whose web site is this? Organization sponsoring? Domain name… dot what? (edu, com, org, etc.)

B ias / Purpose Is the information intended to inform, explain, sell, promote, parody or persuade? Can you distinguish facts from opinion? Is the info objective, or is there bias in the presented info? Hidden message or omitted information? Who is the target audience? Is the site personal, commercial, government or organization site?

C ontent How well does the information cover the topic? Is the source comprehensive, brief, or unique? Is the material presented as original or secondary? What level is the presentation? (elementary, HS, college, +) Does the author support the information he or she uses? Works cited? Is the support respectable? Credible? Could you get better information from a book or encyclopedia? Currency: can you tell the date created? Publication date? Last revised?

D esign / Usability Is the site easy to navigate? (User- friendly?) Is there a well-labeled contents area? Do all the design elements enhance the message? Design consistency? Spelling or grammar errors? Do the pages appear clean, uncluttered? Are the links current or do they not work?

#3 Location and Access Locate sources and find information within sources Access requirements?  Username, password, AUA Use Index, Table of Contents, etc. Alternative Keywords Synonyms Truncation Unique words – use quotes List your keywords Find resources that we checked in #2

#4 Use the Information Data Table: List columns from #1 Record Citation Information Research Notes:  Skimming/Scanning  Use index & table of contents Extract Information:  Summerize, paraphrase, use bullets  Rule of Five  Copy & paste persistent links  Working Works Cited Page Working Works Cited Page

Works Cited or Bibliography Give credit to the sources you used Edwards, I.E.S. “Mummy.” Academic American Encyclopedia ed. Putnam, James. Mummy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Unwrap the Mummy. The Learning Channel. January 15,2002.

Synthesis Organize information from multiple sources. Present the final product. Final products:  Brainstorm / Story Outline  Keywords (#3)  1 page Science Overview  Story  Works Cited  Peer reviews #:__________

Evaluation Judge the Results: Process and Product How will I know I have done my best? Does my project include the elements of science (#1)? Yes No Check rubric – Met criteria? Yes No Big6 Organizer completely filled out? Yes No How could I improve next time?