Big Six Information Skills

Follow these steps for a systematic approach to any research project, whatever the format. Use this CHECKLIST for problem-solving your information needs:

The Big Six Information Skills

(adapted from: Mike Eisenberg & Bob Berkowitz)

1. DEFINE THE TASK:
   

   __ What is my presentation format (written report, oral presentations, poster presentation, video, etc.)

   __ How long does will it to be? (number of pages, number of minutes)

   __ What pieces will it include? (graphs, bibliography, map, interviews, etc.)

   __ What will I need to find out? (Do I need to ask my teacher for more questions about this project?)

2. INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES:

   __ What sources I can use? (encyclopedias, print books, magazines & newspapers, online full-text articles, internet, video, people, microfilm, etc.)

   __ Which sources will have the most valuable information about my topic?

3. LOCATION & ACCESS:

   __ Where will I go to find my sources? (Library, internet, CD-ROM programs/software data files, interview people, etc.)

   __ Find information within sources.

4. USE OF INFORMATION:

   __ Read, hear, view the information.

   __ Extract information from the source (take notes, photocopy-&-highlight, video- or audio-tape, etc.) __ Cite each source used (author, title, publisher/URL, date, pages used)

5. SYNTHESIS:

   __ Organize my information into the required product.

   __ Present information (oral presentation, print report, poster, multimedia, etc.)

6. EVALUATION:

   __ Judge my final product? (Did it match rubric?)

   __ Judge the process? (Did I use my time well, find the best resources, ask for help when I needed it?)