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 –
KidsClick! -
Kid Rex –
Visit the library media center website.

3. Boolean searching (search engines)
Use – when you don’t want a keyword to be searched.
Use “” when you want to use a phrase instead of a keyword.
Examples
Arctic tundra frozen
Everglades -snakes
“United States”

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

5. Step 1: Task Definition Define the information problem
What do I need to do?
Ex: Which biome will I be researching?
Identify information needed
What information do I need?
Ex: I will be creating a PowerPoint presentation on a biome.

6. Step 2: Information-seeking Strategies
Determine all the possible sources
What information sources can I use?
Ex: I’ll find information in books and online.
Select the best sources
Which information sources are the best?
Ex: I’ll use the Internet and a book on my biome.

7. Step 3: Location and Access
Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
Where can I find each source?
Ex: I’ll look through books and web sites at the library.
Select the best sources
Which information sources are the best?
Ex: I’ll use the Blue Planet Biomes website and a book on my biome.

8. Sources Databases (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 (current events)
Databases (current events)
Newspaper like Miami Herald (current events)
DVD (some information)
TV (current events)
Internet (current events)

9. Reference materials General Background information
General encyclopedia (print or online)
World Book 2004 (print)
Databases (online)
(must have a public library card)
Detail information
Specialized encyclopedia (print or online)
Fine detail information
Almanacs (statistics)
Atlases (maps)
Guidebooks (for specific subjects)

10. Step 4: Use of Information
Engage (read, hear, view, touch)
What information in each source is useful?
Ex: I’ll gather useful information to create a rough draft of my PowerPoint presentation.
Extract relevant information
How should I record my notes?
Ex: I’ll record my information on several slides in PowerPoint.

11. Evaluating your sources
Is the information in the source related to my topic?
Is the information written for my grade level?
Is there enough information in the source for my project?
Is the information in the source up-to-date?
Who wrote the information in the source and what are their qualifications?
Is the information in the source trying to persuade me to think a certain way?

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

13. 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. Use quotations and, after the copied information, write/type (author’ last name, p.#).
Do not use pictures on the Internet that are copyrighted ( ) . This means that you do not have the right to use that picture.

14. Evaluate RADCAB Relevancy Appropriateness Detail Currency Authority
Bias

15. 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 slides I created and cite my sources.
Present the information
Ex: I’ll create a PowerPoint presentation.

16. 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 Standards (
Works Cited lists should be in alphabetical order by author, or if no author, then title. A great website for making these online is

17. 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.