1. How to get the information you need to create a great presentation
The Research Process
How to get the information you need to create a great presentation

2. Pick your topic Assigned by the teacher
Search the Internet using kid-friendly search engines
Library Spot –
Kid Rex –
KidzSearch -
Kiddle -

3. The Big 6 Research Process
Task definition
Information-seeking strategies
Location and access
Use of information
Synthesis
Evaluation

4. Step 1: Task Definition Define the information problem
What do I need to do?
Ex: Which animal will I be researching?
Identify information needed
What information do I need?
Ex: What do I need to know about
my animal?

5. Step 2: Information-seeking Strategies
Determine all the possible sources
What information sources can I use?
Ex: I can look in books, magazines, videos, and the Internet.
Select the best sources
Which information sources are the best?
Ex: I’ll use the Internet and a book on my animal.

6. Step 3: Location and Access
Locate sources
Where can I find each source?
Ex: I’ll visit the library.
Select the best sources
Which information sources are the best?
Ex: I’ll use the Animal Planet website and a tiger book on my animal.

7. Sources Database (current events)
Primary sources –first-hand information
Interviewing a person
Attending a discussion/workshop
Observation of object/artifact
Secondary sources – second-hand information
Reference material (see next slide)
Book (lots of information)
Periodical/magazine online (current events)
Database (current events)
Newspaper like Miami Herald (current events)
DVD (some information)
TV (current events)
Internet (current events)

8. Reference materials General Background information Databases (online)
Use public library free databases – mdpls.org
World Book Student Encyclopedia**
Detailed information
Specialized science encyclopedia (print or online) – ex: DKFindOut! (
Fine detailed information
Almanacs (statistics) – World Almanac Online**
Atlases (maps) – ex: FactMonster Atlas (

9. Step 4: Use of Information
Engage (read, hear, view, touch)
What information in each source is useful?
Ex: I’ll get my facts from websites and pictures from books.
Extract relevant information
How should I record my notes?
Ex: I’ll record my information on several notecards.

10. Relevant Information
Find the important facts in your sources. Use note cards/slides/outlines to write each important piece of information. Put the information into your own words.

11. Plagiarism
Do not copy/paste information you get from any website. Rewrite the information in your own words.
If you need to copy the information word-for-word, you need to give the author credit. After the copied information, write/type (author’s last name).
Do not use pictures on the Internet that are copyrighted ( ) . This means that you do not have the right to use that picture.

12. Cite your source Information you need to know about your source.
Source type (book, periodical, website, etc.)
Title or article title (for a periodical)
Author/webmaster
Copyright Date/date website was updated
Publisher/sponsor
Place of publication/web address
Write all your sources in a works cited list.
Use MLA Format (
Works Cited lists should be in alphabetical order by author, or if no author, then title. A great website for making works cited lists online is

13. Step 5: Synthesis Organize from multiple sources
How should I organize the information to meet the requirements of my task?
Ex: I’ll write an outline of the notecards I created and cite my sources.
Present the information
Ex: I’ll create a PowerPoint presentation.

14. Step 6: Evaluation Judge the product (effectiveness)
Is my project complete?
Ex: I need to make sure my PowerPoint presentation is complete and I did my best work.
Judge the process (efficiency)
Did I meet each requirement?
Ex: I need to make sure that my PowerPoint presentation includes all the requirements given by my teacher.