Research+Guide

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 * Hershey Middle School Library's Guide to Research || media type="custom" key="12413152" ||
 * Considering the amount of information available today, it is important to know the best process for solving an information problem. Even if we want to find information on something as simple as deciding which movie to see or as complex as completing the latest research assignment, we complete these steps.

These steps, based on the **//Big6//** TM research model, will help to guide your journey through research. Sometimes the steps are easier to remember if you remember the acronym **TRAVEL - Task/Topic - Resources - Access - Value - Engage - Learn.** ||  ||

Questions like this are sometimes referred to as GUIDING questions and take time and thought. It is not an easy process to write good questions. After you write your questions, read through them. If you can answer any of your questions with one word or a number, you will need to change the question so that it makes you find more information to answer it.
 * ===Task Definition or Topic=== || * 1.1 Define the information problems
 * What is the assignment the teacher has given you?
 * Do you understand what is required? Ask for clarification if you are not sure.
 * 1.2 Identify information needed to complete the task (to solve the information problem)
 * What will you need to know to complete the assignment?
 * What do you know?
 * What would you like to know? ||
 * media type="custom" key="2676761" align="right" || Good research will involve meaningful questions that provide answers to what you want to know about your topic.
 * "Which one" requires you to gather information and use that information to support your choice.
 * "What if" requires you to consider possibilities.
 * "Why" helps you to understand cause and effect.
 * "How" helps you to understand problems and think of solutions.
 * "Should" requires you to use the evidence to make a decision.

[|Here is a great place to find more question starters.] ||

[|KWHL Chart] || || media type="custom" key="12416258" [|Thesis Builder] || media type="custom" key="12416276" align="center"
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[|Five Steps to Better Research] ||

2. Information Seeking Strategies (Resources)

 * 2.1 Determine all possible sources - create a list of all of the possible sources you could use to gather your information.[[image:Books2.jpg width="159" height="130" align="right"]]
 * 2.2 Select the best sources
 * Consider what type of information you need to complete your research.
 * General, factual, overview, background, statistics, explanations
 * Definitions
 * Specific, detailed
 * Primary sources, first person accounts
 * Controversial issues, pro and con
 * Images, audio, video, maps
 * Biographical
 * News, current events
 * Consider all information sources - print, electronic, and human - you could use.
 * Consider the amount of time you have to do the research.
 * Need help? Ask your teacher, Mrs. Arnold, or other librarians at [|Ask Here PA]

3. Location and Access (Access)
>>>
 * 3.1 Locate sources
 * Library books - [|OPAC]
 * Databases - [|Research Links]
 * Pathfinders - on the left, check under Home for one that may assist you
 * Primary sources - [|Explanation]
 * Internet - Search Engines
 * Podcasts, Video/DVD, broadcasts
 * Try UnitedStreaming, SafariMontage, [|YouTube]
 * Contact an expert
 * [|Create Good Interview Questions]
 * [[file:Microsoft Word - SamplePlanner.pdf]]
 * 3.2 Accessing Information within Sources
 * Create a list of keywords that will help you find information. Think of synonyms and other words that can be useful.
 * Keyword Challenges
 * [[file:Microsoft Word - SamplePlanner.pdf]]
 * Use the table of contents and index
 * Practice good searching strategies
 * [|SearchTips]
 * [|Boolean Machine]
 * [|Web Research Guide]
 * [|Searching the Web]- quick tutorial
 * [[file:Microsoft Word - WebEvaluation-JUNK.pdf]]
 * [|Truncation] - Use it and become an awesome researcher!

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4. Use of Information (Value)

 * 4.1 Engage in the Source
 * **Skim** the source looking for topic sentences, titles and subtitles, captions, words in **bold** or //italics//, graphics, and links. You are not reading to retain this information, just seeing if it is of value for you.
 * Keep keywords and questions in mind as you skim
 * Ignore the advertising and clutter - don't get distracted.
 * Make sure the information meets your research need. Don't waste time if it doesn't.
 * Remember to look for JUNK on web pages.
 * If you don't understand the text, ask for help or find another source. Remember, the source may be for univesity professors, not middle school students. There are places to find information.
 * When you find relevant information, it is time to **scan**- read more carefully, but still quickly only looking for important words.
 * [|Graphic Organizers - Reading Strategies]


 * .2 Extract Relevant Information - Note Taking[[image:mikemonster.jpg width="256" height="192" align="right"]]
 * [|Data Chart for Note Taking]
 * [[file:Microsoft Word - Data Chart Note Organizer.pdf]]
 * [|Cornell Notes Guide]
 * Record the bibliography information in the correct format. Use your //HMS Writer's Style Guide.//
 * Use your information ethically by being copyright friendly.
 * [|Ethical Use]
 * [|Cyberbee Copyright] information.
 * [|CopyrightKids]
 * [|Owl at Purdue - plagiarism]
 * Try an online bibliography composer.
 * [|Citation Machine >>>]
 * [|EasyBib]

5. Use of Information (Engage)

 * 5.1 Organize Information from Multiple Sources
 * Use an outline
 * [|How to Write an Outline]
 * [|Outlines]
 * Use diagrams, graphic organizers, storyboards
 * [|Graphic Organizers]
 * [|More Organizers]
 * [|Even More Organizers]
 * [|Notemaking]
 * [|Drawing Conclusions]
 * [|Storyboard Organizer]
 * [|Scholastic Storyboard]

According to Barbara Jansen, "the final product should provide students with the ability to add value to their education experience by contributing original ideas and higher-level thought, in addition to learning transferable skills."
 * 5.2 Present the Results
 * Writing
 * [|Scholastic - Draft Help]
 * [|Web English Teacher]
 * Technology
 * WebTools4u2use
 * [|Go2Web2.0]
 * Presentation and Production
 * [|Teach Power Points]
 * [|Presentation Tips]
 * Performance

6. Evaluation (Learn)
This is the step where you think about what you have accomplished, what worked or didn't, what you can improve upon in all steps of the research. Ask yourself questions like: Did you have success finding information, but trouble putting it together? Did you learn a new technology application? Were your search strategies effective?
 * 6.1 Judge the Result
 * [|RubiStar]
 * [|TeAchnology - rubrics]
 * [|Rubrics4Teachers]
 * 6.2 Judge the process
 * [|Teaching Self-Evaluation Process]
 * [[file:Microsoft Word - JournalGuide.pdf]]

The “Big6™” is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com

Bibliography Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. //21st Century Information Fluency.// 8 August 2008. <[|http://21cif.imsa.edu/rkit/newRkit/gettingstarted.html>.] Jansen, Barbara. A. //The Big6 In Middle School: Teaching Information Communications Technology Skills.// Columbus, OH: Linworth Books, 2007. Valenza, Joyce Kasman. "For the Best Answers, Ask Tough Questions." //Philadelphia Inquirer. tech.life@inquirer// 20 April 2000 [|.